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Manchester City: Manuel Pellegrini set to celebrate Premier League success but insists bid to retain title starts on Tuesday

City manager revels in becoming the first non-European manager to win the English top flight after guiding side to success

Monday 12 May 2014 09:33 BST

Manuel Pellegrini insists he will start work on Tuesday to ensure that Manchester City can retain their Premier League crown.

A comfortable 2-0 win over West Ham saw City triumph by two points over Liverpool in the title race, while they scored a record 156 goals in all competitions this season.

City's total of 102 Premier League goals was one short of the league record, but the 156 tally is nine more than the 147 Chelsea managed last season.

Manchester City crowned Premier League champions

Pellegrini, who has become the first non-European coach to win the English top flight, said the success felt "very special" but that after the victory parade on Monday, work would start for next season.

He said: "I think it's very important to celebrate and then on Tuesday start working for next season.

"We are going to do a balance of the whole year and the positive things and negative things and way we can improve our squad.

Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Joe Hart – 6

The endless attacking of his colleague saw West Ham pinned back for long stretches leaving him little to do. Effective distribution when required.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Pablo Zabaleta – 7

Pillar of reliability at right back but also dovetailed effectively with Nasri to find space behind the West Ham defensive lines.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Vincent Kompany – 8

His display was a microcosm of his season: calm authority and influence combined with a dominating physical presence – yet interspersed with subtle touches that always looked to prompt City forward. Fully deserved his goal for the Champions.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Martin Demichelis – 7

His disciplined display once again proved to doubters that he is a far more reliable player than many thought. Completely overshadowed Downing’s intermittent forward runs.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Aleksandar Kolarov – 7

Forceful first-half with a long distance strike that worried Adrian. Solid display from a reliable player.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Javi Garcia – 7

Always provided an outlet as a defensive pivot, and never overcomplicating matters when a simple pass would suffice.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Samir Nasri – 8

His willingness to drop deep to receive the ball when required was key. Showed good vision when making the vital breakthrough with his low right-footed strike from outside the box that surprised Adrian for City's first goal.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Yaya Toure – 7:

Bossed the midfield. Continually looked to prompt his team and credited with an assist for Nasir’s goal. Another who deserved his standing ovation on being substituted with the game and title won.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

David Silva – 8

Delightful performance once again showcasing his superb touch, technique, awareness and movement as he looked to exploit space between the Hammers defensive lines and create havoc in the box. Wild volley showed nerves early, and was unlucky to hit the post - but was smiling at the end.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Sergio Aguero – 7

Always full of running and honest endeavour in his attempt to induce panic in the visiting side. Has so much more in his locker that wasn’t exhibited suggesting he was nowhere near fully fit. Fluffed chance in the box when it looked easier to score and his frustrations culminated in his late and unnecessary challenge on Noble late on which saw him booked.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Edin Dzeko – 7

Not one of his more influential games but deserved his assist for the second - not to mention the standing ovation for his contribution to his team's efforts when subbed for Ferdandinho.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

James Milner – 5

Replaced Silva and was full of his usual running on 76 minutes.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Fernandinho – 6

Slotted in well and brought energy to his team as they closed out the game

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Alvaro Negredo – 5

On for the influential Toure. Not enough time to make his presence felt.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Adrian – 4

Initially exhibited good handling on a greasy surface, but should have been far more alert in dealing with Nasri’s shot which he failed to anticipate.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Joey O'Brien – 6

Worked tirelessly but was overwhelmed by City’s incessant marauding - but deserves credit along with his defensive colleagues for competing throughout.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

James Tomkins – 6

Kept his shape and composure under pressure. Cleared his lines well, showing good anticipation in blocks and tackles under constant City attacks. Never gave up in his commitment to the cause.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Winston Reid – 6

Stuck to his task manfully on a tiring day to be a West Ham defender. Looked weary by the end but can be proud of his determination and unstinting work. The fact he did not hide was testament to his strength of character on a difficult day.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

George McCartney – 6

A calm presence. Showed bravery and nous in executing last-ditch tackles and clearances under trying circumstances. Another who deserves praise and recognition for his defensive resolution and the grit he presented in the claret and blue.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Matthew Taylor – 4

The intensity and determination of Manchester City in their desire to be champions meant his efforts to shape the game were left largely unrewarded.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Mark Noble – 5

Terrier-like and tenacious but his first touch let him down at times when attempting to drive the Hammers forward in the crowded midfield third. Should be commended for his willingness to help bolster the Irons under-fire defence. Booked.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Kevin Nolan – 5

Not as effective as he would have liked, showing his frustration with some robust challenges including one on Hart that resulted in him receiving a booking.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Stewart Downing – 5

Showed good pace on the rare occasions the Hammers counter-attacked, but ultimately failed to trouble a determined Demichelis along the right flank.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Mohamed Diame – 4

Isolated and ineffective throughout - but there was no excuse for him at times looking less than committed. Not good enough on the day to provide support to Carroll or as an outlet for his over-worked defensive colleagues.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Andy Carroll – 5

More effective in supplementing his side’s defensive work when deflecting a Silva shot onto the post late in the first half than in threatening offensively. Unfortunately failed to offer such solidity in the second half when missing a header moments before Kompany netted.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Matthew Jarvis – 5

On for an insipid Nolan. Failed to make a mark on proceedings

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Joe Cole – 5

On for Diame on what could be his left appearance as a West Ham United player.

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Manchester City 2 West Ham 0 - Player ratings

Carlton Cole – 5

On for Carroll as a 72nd minute substation. Made little impact.

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"It has been a beautiful season but you always need to continue winning and improving, and we are going to start working as soon as possible to be the strongest team next year."

The team's style under Pellegrini was in stark contrast to the often-negative tactics under predecessor Roberto Mancini - and the Chilean said he had inherited a disunited squad.

"It was my first season in the Premier League and I had to change a lot of things," he said.

"The most important thing was we changed absolutely the way this team play. I am not criticising other styles or comparing, I like to play one way and for me it was very important to give the reasons and to have the trust of the players to change the way they played before.

Read more: Hart pays tribute to 'winner' Pellegrini
Premier League final Sunday - As it happened

"When I arrived at this club maybe the relations between the squad were not in the best moment so I think it was very important to have calm and try to convince all of them how we can play and how was it was important to be very close all of us - managers, players and fans to try to win a very difficult title.

"I think the way we played is as important as winning the title, the way we did it with the players and the fans enjoying it.

"We have players to play in counter-attack but for me, to win titles just in that way, I will not be happy. We won with 102 goals, and with the record of goals in all competitions in the history here in England it is the way the team must play with the quality of players we have.

"It has been a brilliant season and I would say of all the sides we kept going longest in all four competitions."

PA

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