Pellegrini: City off the pace

MANUEL Pellegrini was disappointed with his Manchester City side’s performance in the 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at strugglers Newcastle United last night.

The Blues boss said it fell far short of the standard set in Saturday’s 3–0 win at Chelsea, and a result left his team 12 points adrift of leaders Leicester and seven behind second–placed Tottenham.

The Magpies, who had not beaten City in the league in 18 attempts dating back to September, 2005, came desperately close to doing so on a night when Sergio Aguero’s 100th Premier League goal — which should have been disallowed for offside — gave the visitors a 15th–minute lead.

Vurnon Anita’s first strike in more than two years levelled it and substitute Georginio Wijnaldum was denied a stoppage time winner by keeper Joe Hart.

Pellegrini said: “That was not the same team as on Saturday, without any doubt.

“Maybe we couldn’t recover so soon after three days to have the same pace that we had against Chelsea.

“We knew also before the game that it was going to be very tough because Newcastle are playing not to be relegated next season. They had just won their last game.”

Pellegrini was at least able to revel in Aguero’s achievement with only Newcastle old boy Alan Shearer having reached a Premier League century in fewer than his 147 appearances.

He said: “I am happy for him, because it’s not easy to score 100 goals in the amount of games that Sergio did it.

“He’s second in the history of the Premier League, so I am happy for him and I hope he will continue the same way until the end of the season.”