Manuel Pellegrini Worried Over Man City's Recent Failures

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini admits that he is "worried" by his side's current struggles after an impressive Newcastle dumped the League Cup holders out of the competition. Goals from Rolando Aarons and Moussa Sissoko sealed the Magpies' passage to the quarter-finals, with the visitors comfortably the better.

City are six points off the pace in the Premier League, struggling in the Champions League and have now surrendered their League Cup trophy with a whimper, leaving the Chilean in no mood to offer up excuses.


"I'm worried about why we are not playing the way we normally play. We conceded two easy goals. We are not playing the way that we normally do. We're not passing the ball quickly. With one competition less we can concentrate more."

David Silva made the starting line-up but only lasted five minutes of action before being taken off with a knee injury, but Pellegrini insists that starting the Spaniard with the Manchester derby approaching on Sunday was no risk.

"There was no reason why David couldn't play," the Chilean declared. "He was prepared. We tried to play with the best players. David was perfect to play. He was not going to play the whole game. My idea was to change him for Samir Nasri."

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was full of praise for his side and enjoyed some vindication after frequent criticism.

"I do know what I'm doing," he remarked. "I think I've had most of the scalps as Newcastle manager, maybe except Arsenal - and I look forward to playing them next. This was a victory for our fans.

"I've been criticised for not concentrating on the cups but I think I've been unlucky when they've come around.

"We had a game plan but the players needed to execute it. I couldn't ask for any more. They were terrific and carried a threat all night.

"I was impressed with our younger players, in particular, and that bodes well for us going forward. We just needed belief and the victories have given us that. We believed we could win tonight and it was shown out there on the pitch.”

Pardew hailed the professionalism of Ryan Taylor, who made his comeback after 26 months out with a cruciate ligament injury and put in a commanding midfield display.

The Magpies manager enthused: "He was outstanding. Professional footballers sometimes get a bad press for the way they conduct themselves but you're talking about a guy who has conducted himself in the best possible manner.

"He got his reward tonight. To play like he did was a credit to him. He's a special player in our group; our players all love him. We all respect him."