Pellegrini says City can't be complacent

Manuel Pellegrini insists Manchester City still has plenty of work to do to wrap up a second English title in three years, despite its hopes being in its own hands.

City moved to the top of the Premier League table for the first time since early February with a 3-2 win at Everton on Saturday.

With Chelsea facing Norwich on Sunday and fellow title rival Liverpool heading to Crystal Palace on Monday, it means that, barring a huge victory for the Reds at Selhurst Park, City will be in top spot on Wednesday if it beats Aston Villa.

After that, only a home game against West Ham at Eastlands on next weekend's final day of the league season would stand between City and the trophy.

City's chances looked over when it lost at Liverpool and drew at home with Sunderland, but three consecutive wins and Chelsea's recent victory at Anfield gave it the initiative once again.

Saturday's trip to Goodison Park was seen as the key match in City's hopes, but Pellegrini told his players immediately after the final whistle not to let it slip now.

"It was a testing moment but we haven't finished yet," he said.

"We've just won one of the three games that we must win to take the title," Pellegrini said.

"It was a very difficult game because you see the history here for City, two wins in 10 years, Everton are in a good moment and they played well so it's a very important victory.

"I was talking with the players, especially after we lost against Liverpool, and I said the title was not over and we must continue playing.

"I never try to think in a negative way. We have to win two games more, a lot can happen and we will prepare for Aston Villa and at the end of the season we'll analyze how the season was.

"Three points is a good step towards trying to win the title."

After Ross Barkley gave Everton the lead with a powerful, looping shot, Sergio Aguero pulled City even before Edin Dzeko headed put it front ahead of halftime.

Dzeko scored his second goal when he tapped in from Samir Nasri's cross but Romelu Lukaku finished from a Leighton Baines center to give City an anxious final few minutes on Merseyside.

Argentina striker Aguero, who has had three spells out through injury this season, was forced off with what appeared to be a groin problem.

He will be assessed again on Sunday and Pellegrini confirmed Yaya Toure, also withdrawn at Goodison, was only taken off as a precaution.

"We will know tomorrow (Sunday) after the doctor examines him (Aguero)," Pellegrini said.

"I don't know if it's his groin or hamstring, but it's a muscle problem."

Although City is closing on the title, Barkley was the outstanding player on the pitch.

England coach Roy Hodgson was in the crowd and Everton manager Roberto Martinez was sure the midfielder could excel at the World Cup in Brazil.

"If he's called up it's the right thing," Martinez said. "He offers something unique and at the same time he's a young man. We have to look after him and support him and give him time to fulfill his potential.

"The character of Ross is ready to embrace anything that comes his way, but if he's not in the World Cup we'll use the time to refresh him, regenerate him and get him ready for the next campaign."

Everton's hopes of Champions League soccer ended with the loss, but it is guaranteed fifth spot and a Europa League place.

"It is disappointing (failing to qualify for the Champions League) because that was a dream that we had at the beginning of the season and we gave everything we had to achieve it," Martinez said.

(China Daily 05/05/2014 page24)