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(Reuters) - Three years ago, City claimed their first top-flight title in 44 years under Italian Roberto Mancini but were off the pace during their defence the following season, finishing well behind local rivals Manchester United in second spot.
Manchester City manager Pellegrini reacts during their English Community Shield soccer match against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium in London
Last season brought another league crown to the Etihad Stadium in Pellegrini’s first campaign at the club, and he said they could not afford to rest on their laurels if they hoped to avoid another letdown.
“This team won the title two years ago and the next season was a disaster, it wasn’t a useful year for anyone,” the Chilean told the BBC.
“Last season, Manchester United had a disaster (finished seventh) after winning the title.
“It’s important from the beginning that we understand we won the title last season and need to win again this year.”
Fernando, a 15 million euros ($20.08 million) arrival from Porto, was confident on his midfield debut and with Eliaquim Mangala, Bacary Sagna, Willy Caballero and Frank Lampard not featuring, Pellegrini was confident he had the squad depth to claim repeat Premier League titles for the first time.
ONE MORE YEAR
“It’s very difficult to compare each year. Maybe last year a lot of people doubted we could win the title because it was my first season here in the Premier League,” Pellegrini said.
“Today, we have one year more working with the players and we have a strong squad.
“You have five or six teams that can win the title, so we need the same attitude, the hunger with which we have started the season and the same humility in every game.
“I am sure this squad can fight, and we will see at the end of the season which titles we will win.”
Pellegrini said Bosnia striker Dzeko was set to commit his long-term future to the club, joining Samir Nasri, Vincent Kompany, Aleksandar Kolarov and Aguero in penning new deals.
Dzeko scored 16 league goals last season, and while he did not open his account on Sunday, his clever backheel to set up Silva was the highlight of a strong performance.
“That’s why he is renewing his contract here – he has a very important duty in our team. I don’t think it’s 100 percent finished – but, yes, he will renew his contract. He’s a very important player for us,” Pellegrini added.
“Today he was one of our best players, not just because of the way he created the first goal and worked hard but because he won a lot of headers and duels and held the ball up well. It was a complete performance.”
City and Liverpool start new campaign with wins
By Josh Reich
LONDON (Reuters) – One moment of attacking brilliance and a late Sergio Aguero strike gave Premier League holders Manchester City a winning start to their title defence as they eased past Newcastle United 2-0 away on Sunday.
Manchester City’s Aguero celebrates after scoring a goal against Newcastle United during their English Premier League soccer match at St James’ Park in Newcastle upon Tyne
Ivorian powerhouse Yaya Toure and Edin Dzeko combined to set up Spaniard David Silva before halftime while Argentine Aguero added a second just before the final whistle.
While the performance was far from vintage, City manager Manuel Pellegrini will be pleased with the three points after last week’s 3-0 Community Shield loss to Arsenal indicated his side may have some early season rust.
Earlier, last season’s runners-up Liverpool beat a stubborn Southampton 2-1, goals from Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge either side of Nathaniel Clyne’s thunderbolt ensuring the post-Luis Suarez era at Anfield got off to a positive start.
On Saturday Manchester United began life under Louis van Gaal with a disappointing 2-1 home defeat by Swansea City, while Arsenal needed a stoppage-time Aaron Ramsey goal to beat Crystal Palace 2-1.
Tottenham Hotspur, Hull City and Aston Villa were other opening-weekend winners, while Chelsea play at promoted Burnley on Monday.
CITY DOMINATE
The match at St James’ Park was preceded by a minute’s silence for John Alder and Liam Sweeney, the two Newcastle fans killed in the Malaysia Airlines crash in eastern Ukraine last month.
After kickoff City quickly began to dominate, with Tim Krul denying Dzeko, Stevan Jovetic and Samir Nasri within the first 12 minutes.
City’s wealth of attacking options came to the fore on 38 minutes, Toure playing a ball over the top from deep, Dzeko playing a lovely backheel into the path of Silva who placed the ball past Krul.
The hosts offered plenty of industry after the break, in marked contrast to some insipid performances last season, but they generally lacked the cutting edge required to seriously threaten, other than late chances to Ayoze Perez and Moussa Sissoko.
Aguero, who missed much of last season through injury, added some late gloss to the scoreline, beating Krul after his initial effort was parried.
“It was very important for us to start with a win,” Pellegrini told Sky Sports. “We talked to the squad about the ‘two hs’ – we were hungry and humble.
“We need both if we want to continue winning titles and improve on what we did last season. We didn’t have any clean sheets in pre-season but we were very solid in this game.”
LOVREN STARTS
Three players traded the south coast for Merseyside in the off-season but only Dejan Lovren started at Anfield, with striker Rickie Lambert on the bench and midfielder Adam Lallana injured.
Clear chances were in short supply for both sides until Jordan Henderson won the ball inside his own half on 23 minutes.
He split the Southampton defence with an incisive pass, allowing 19-year-old Sterling to calmly shoot past Southampton’s new goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
Liverpool earned plenty of plaudits for the way they tore teams apart last term, but after going a goal up they allowed Southampton to gain a foothold.
Clyne blasted in an equaliser after a neat one-two with Dusan Tadic, the Serb playing a delightful backheel to set up the right back.
Steven Davis missed a chance shortly afterwards, and the Saints were made to pay for the wastefulness when Sturridge, who scored 21 league goals last term, flicked the ball home after the impressive Sterling met Henderson’s cross.
“I’m really happy with that determination and character to win a football match,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said. “As the season rolls on, we’ll get better and more fluent. It was very hard-fought.”
(Editing by Justin Palmer/Mark Meadows)
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