Samir Nasri has expressed his delight at marking his return to the Manchester City starting line-up with the winning goal in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over West Brom.
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Manchester City Boss Manuel Pellegrini was quick to remind the world his side were not the favourites in their quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain – “not before the game and not after this game” – despite drawing 2-2 away on Wednesday night.
“We needed to play the Champions League in February and we had just Kun in that moment as a striker so it was important to put Kelechi in the squad”.
Kevin De Bruyne and the fit again Yaya Toure were sent on and De Bruyne immediately made his presence felt, stretching the West Brom defence and playing a part as City went ahead as he played in Jesus Navas to set up Aguero. City travelled to Paris to play PSG, and came back to Manchester very happy.
“We have a lot of points to recover”. Mangala had a fantastic performance against PSG in the Champiosn League midweek, and will be looking to kick-on and prove his worth to incoming manager Pep Guardiola before the end of the season-stopping Rondón would be a great way to do that.
They’re only four points back of Arsenal, though, giving them a chance to potentially surpass the Gunners to finish third – but they also only have a one point lead on arch-rivals Manchester United and a three point cushion on West Ham.
City’s afternoon concluded with the unwelcome sight of Aguero limping off following a number of heavy challenges, although relief was palpable at the Etihad when McClean’s stoppage-time drive flew through a crowded penalty area and agonisingly wide. I always talk to players in private, the media will decide if Joe Hart should have done better for the goal.
With 40 points already in the bag and their Premier League status essentially assured, West Brom were unrecognisable from any Tony Pulis side that has visited the Etihad in the past. “I lasted a little bit longer”, the 24-year-old told City’s official website after completing 77 minutes at the Parc des Princes.
Still, this a hugely significant win for Pellegrini’s squad, giving them a real platform to wrap up a Champions League place for next season.
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The teams last played in August 2015 and Manchester City won the game 0 – 3.
