Pellegrini lauds City character

Posted Monday, January 04, 2016 by foxsportsasia.com

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini praised his side's never-say-die attitude after they came from behind to beat Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

The Citizens found themselves a goal down against the Hornets early in the second half when Aleksandar Kolarov turned the ball into his own net from a defensive corner.

But the visitors showed their fighting spirit as they struck twice in the space of two minutes late on, courtesy of Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero, to clinch the comeback win.

"We never give up, we have a lot of character. We won the Champions League group in the same way," Pellegrini said in his post-match interview.

"We were unlucky to be losing. The corner [for Watford's goal] wasn't a corner and after that it was an own goal.

"But we continued trying to score, make substitutions and we were able to turn the score around."

The Chilean made a tactical switch in the second half with his team trailing, bringing on Wilfried Bony for Eliaquim Mangala and moving Fernandinho into central defence, as he went in search of victory.

"We were losing 1-0 so we had to take a risk. A draw was not good for our team," he added. "It's not Fernandinho's position, but he's an intelligent and tactical player and Watford were not going to attack too much.

"I think it was a close game and tough for both teams. They are in a good moment and playing well. But if you look at the statistics I think we deserved to win, we had more attempts, more shots on target, possession, but against I repeat a very good team."