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Manchester City 2 Chelsea 0: Manuel Pellegrini says after FA Cup victory - 'we will not change tactics for anyone'

Criticised following the defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League, Pellegrini insists he will stick by his principals

Tim Rich
Sunday 16 February 2014 02:00 GMT
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Watchmen: Stevan Jovetic looks on as he scores Manchester City’s opening goal past Chelsea’s Petr Cech (left) and Nemanja Matic (right) during yesterday’s FA Cup tie
Watchmen: Stevan Jovetic looks on as he scores Manchester City’s opening goal past Chelsea’s Petr Cech (left) and Nemanja Matic (right) during yesterday’s FA Cup tie

Manuel Pellegrini last night insisted that Manchester City's emphatic victory over Chelsea was proof he did not have to change his tactics to win games and trophies.

After he was beaten and out-thought by Jose Mourinho in the League a fortnight ago, the City manager was advised he would have to rein in his side's attacking instincts if they were to succeed against the better teams. Now, after a 2-0 win in the FA Cup that even Mourinho admitted was deserved, Pellegrini said he would play the same way against Barcelona on Tuesday.

"The most important thing was to beat a great team and we have beaten a great team," he said. "Last time against Chelsea, I was given a lot of questions about whether we were going to change our way of playing. This was a very important test to prove we can win by playing the way I want. We will not change for anyone. There were no problems of tactics the last time we played Chelsea. The only difference was that then Chelsea scored first."

After being taunted by Mourinho, Pellegrini pointed out this was not "revenge". His captain was not so reticent. "The dressing room wanted revenge from the word go," said Vincent Kompany. "We were hard in the challenges and gave nothing away."

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