Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said that his side would make
deserving Premier League champions after they swept to the verge of
glory by crushing Aston Villa 4-0.
City now require only a point at home to West Ham United on Sunday to secure the title, having taken their goal tally to 100 by vanquishing Villa with a second-half onslaught at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
After an Edin Dzeko brace put City in command, substitute Stevan Jovetic added a third goal before Yaya Toure brought up the century in memorable fashion with a driving run from inside his own half.
"Now we can talk about the title, because if we win the next game we are going to win the title," Pellegrini said.
"I think it will be very important, not only the title, but in the way we are going to win the title, if finally we win it.
"I think we have a style of play, I think we are an attractive team, I think we score many goals and we are always thinking to score more goals.
"That to me has the same importance as winning the title. The way we play the whole season, I hope we will play the next game the same way. I am very happy to manage this team this way."
While nearest rivals Liverpool have themselves amassed 99 goals, third-place Chelsea – who can no longer win the title – have been criticised for adopting a reactive approach in their recent matches.
Pellegrini was wary of drawing comparisons with his side's rivals, but he said that he was proud that City have closed to within touching distance of the title by playing an effervescent brand of attacking football.
"There are different ways to win titles," said the Chilean, who would become the first non-European coach to win the Premier League.
"It is a strange season maybe, because we were never top of the table," he said.
City now require only a point at home to West Ham United on Sunday to secure the title, having taken their goal tally to 100 by vanquishing Villa with a second-half onslaught at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
After an Edin Dzeko brace put City in command, substitute Stevan Jovetic added a third goal before Yaya Toure brought up the century in memorable fashion with a driving run from inside his own half.
"Now we can talk about the title, because if we win the next game we are going to win the title," Pellegrini said.
"I think it will be very important, not only the title, but in the way we are going to win the title, if finally we win it.
"I think we have a style of play, I think we are an attractive team, I think we score many goals and we are always thinking to score more goals.
"That to me has the same importance as winning the title. The way we play the whole season, I hope we will play the next game the same way. I am very happy to manage this team this way."
While nearest rivals Liverpool have themselves amassed 99 goals, third-place Chelsea – who can no longer win the title – have been criticised for adopting a reactive approach in their recent matches.
Pellegrini was wary of drawing comparisons with his side's rivals, but he said that he was proud that City have closed to within touching distance of the title by playing an effervescent brand of attacking football.
"There are different ways to win titles," said the Chilean, who would become the first non-European coach to win the Premier League.
"I choose this one, with attractive football, so that the fans enjoy the season. Maybe you can win titles other ways. For me, the aesthetic part is very important."
City have only topped the table for 11 days this season, but Pellegrini explained the anomaly by pointing to the fact that they have been forced to play catch-up due to their commitments in other competitions."It is a strange season maybe, because we were never top of the table," he said.
"Everyone said we were favourites, but we were nine points behind Liverpool and eight points behind Chelsea.
"We had three games in hand, but we must win all those games. Now we are top of the table and I hope we are not going to lose next Sunday, but we must win the way we did today (Wednesday)."
