Man City took one more step towards a top-four finish, recovering from two straight defeats to beat West Ham, but manager Manuel Pellegrini was still wary of the ‘disaster’ that finishing fifth would represent.
A bizarre James Collins own goal and speedy counter-attacking move finished by Sergio Aguero gave City all three points against a disconsolate West Ham team, a welcome comeback from defeats to Manchester United and Crystal Palace.
The champions now sit in fourth place, seven points clear of Liverpool and Tottenham, but Pellegrini is more than aware how precarious his position would be if City fail to finish in the top four.
“If that happens, the analysis of the season will be different. Not to play in the Champions League is a disaster,” said the 61-year-old Chilean.
“You are wrong if you think that, at this club, you are out if you don’t win the title but if we miss the top four then maybe it will be different because that would not be the same thing.”
Should Pellegrini leave in the summer, he is likely to be followed by a number of players who are regarded to have underperformed in City’s first trophy-less season since 2009-10.
One of those is rumoured to be leaving is Yaya Toure, but he reaffirmed his loyalty to the club after a fine performance against the Hammers.
Toure said: “There have been a lot of things said and a lot of rumours about me, but everyone who knows me – the people who work for the club and the supporters – know that I will continue to find to the end for this football club.
“It hurts a lot sometimes when your work-rate is questioned but I will work hard for the team and for the respect of the fans who have always been behind me and I will continue to show my commitment to the team and I love playing for City.
“It was an important win because we have had a lot of criticism lately – which is part of the game – but we showed great team spirit today even though we probably should have won by more because we had so many chances.
“We created a lot of opportunities and didn’t quite get it right, but we won and that’s what mattered most.”
Main image courtesy of MCFC via YouTube, with thanks.
