City went top on goal difference, for one day at least.
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However, on Saturday, Manuel Pellegrini’s side demonstrated the mark of champions, and fought back nearly instantly to retake the lead in stoppage time.
They lie 16th in the table, one point above the relegation zone with back-room stalwart Alan Curtis having been in charge at Etihad Stadium.
However, with Premier League action returning for the former Olympique Marseille man on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium he is likely to prove a point against the former league title-winners. Mangala will be more than keen to impress against lowly Swansea and a much needed clean sheet might just do the job.
However, on a weekend when United lost at Bournemouth to follow the Cherries’ victory over Chelsea seven days previously and Leicester City have a chance to reclaim top spot from Arsenal if they beat José Mourinho’s side on Monday night, Pellegrini’s view is credible.
“Of course, today we went through some difficulties and the weather was a little bit hard to play in, but we are very happy with the three points”.
The argument employed by Pellegrini and the Manchester United chief executive, Ed Woodward, is that the vast influx of television revenues has made the Premier League a more even contest. Maybe when you have a very good team that has eight or nine points more, it’s easier.
City were far from their best, perhaps still tired after Tuesday’s exhilarating Champions League win over Borussia Monchengladbach, but De Bruyne was not concerned about that.
The winning goal was awarded to Kelechi Iheanacho, who unintentionally gained the final touch, though as Toure’s shot from a narrow angle appeared to be on target anyway. The Premier League is the work of a whole year and that’s why I say it must not become an obsession to win the Champions League. “We tried to score and fortunately we got another goal”, Pellegrini said. “It’s a very important title and handsome to do it but you must not try to win that and lose focus on the Premier League”. “But the last two minutes said a lot about my team. He is a great manager and I am sure he will have a great future coaching or managing in the game”.
“I think Yaya was one of the best players in this game”, he said in his postgame news conference.
For all of their attacking quality, the defence again looked vulnerable against the German club and conceded two fairly avoidable goals.
West Ham United, eighth, and Stoke City, 11th, missed the chance to close in on the leaders as they fought out a boring goalless draw at Upton Park.
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“I thought we were excellent and we’re bitterly disappointed to come away empty-handed”.
