It just shows how well we played against one of the title favourites.
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“When he comes back from injury he always needs two or three games to return to his best performance”, the Chilean coach told reporters. “It was end-to-end because both teams play in an attacking way”, he said. We are fighting for the title and involved in other competitions with a lot of injuries, so it’s important to have him 100 per cent fit.
Slaven Bilic’s team have beaten a number of the elite top-flight teams this season and almost did so again on Saturday evening only to draw 2-2 against Manchester City.
Questioned about that on Friday, Pellegrini said: “For Yaya and every player the most important thing is to think in the present and about the next game. We are not only talking about Crystal Palace and West Ham, but I think Leicester are the same way and Everton”.
“It’s not good when I’m playing without the protection because if something happens to me it would be very bad for me”.
His first goal on Saturday was a penalty – which he won when fouled by Carl Jenkinson.
Valencia scored a second from Michail Antonio’s long throw in the second half, but Aguero pounced on a loose ball in the box to equalise late on.
It was still West Ham creating the better chances and Alex Song went close with a long-range strike. City managed it on goal difference, but West Ham will rue a missed opportunity, especially as Cheikhou Kouyate headed against the bar in the final seconds.
“We were not very concentrated”, Pellegrini said of the second goal. Could it be your diet?’ So you change it. Then no, maybe it’s not that. “Unfortunately, at that moment we were distracted”.
Joe Hart came to City’s rescue in the 33rd minute, as the England goalkeeper produced a fine save to keep out Payet’s curling free-kick.
Hammers forward Enner Valencia gave the hosts a flawless 1-0 lead by scoring in the opening minute of the game with a right-footed shot to the center of the net. Aguero revealed details of his talk with the 5-time FIFA Ballon d’Or victor where he tried to convince Messi to join him at City. However, they will draw confidence from the fact that they were the first team to defeat the marauding Citizens at the start of the season and will look to pull off the double against Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
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The Hammers have made headlines this season with their away form beating Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal all away from home, but they’ve only lost twice at home this season.
