Edin Dzeko says Manchester City’s 2-0 extra-time League Cup win against Newcastle United on Wednesday should give Manuel Pellegrini food for thought over his team selections.
Having set up Alvaro Negredo’s opener, Dzeko sealed City’s place in the quarter-finals with a well-taken goal after Pellegrini had made ten changes from the side that lost 2-1 at Chelsea on Sunday.
With City’s inconsistent form hampering their league campaign, Dzeko said the performance may convince the manager to rethink his strongest eleven.
“Tonight was a chance for those of us who maybe haven’t played in the last few games to show the manager we deserve to play,” he told Sky Sports.
“We have to show it on the pitch and I think we did that tonight.”
Goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon resumed his usual League Cup duties in place of Joe Hart and kept his second consecutive clean sheet – City’s first since he kept Wigan Athletic at bay in the last round in September.
Pellegrini refused to comment on whether man-of-the-match Pantilimon would displace the under-fire Hart for Saturday’s game against Norwich but praised the Romanian’s performance.
“Pantilimon has my trust and the trust of all the team,” the Chilean said.
“I think that for him and the whole team to keep a clean sheet is very important.”
City will travel to Leicester for their last-eight clash on December 17.
Image courtesy of MCFC via YouTube, with thanks.
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