Manuel Pellegrini wants 'aggressive' approach of Manchester City to continue against Cardiff City

The Sky Blues won their opening game of the season 4-0

City manager Manuel Pellegrini looks on with satisfaction (EPA)

Manuel Pellegrini takes a reinvigorated Manchester City side to Cardiff this weekend looking to maintain their flying start to the season.

City opened their Barclays Premier League campaign in impressive fashion with a 4-0 thrashing of 10-man Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Monday.

Pellegrini's men were dynamic from the first minute and overran the Magpies with some slick attacking football.

It was an early indication of the style with which Pellegrini intends to play, the Chilean having been charged with the responsibility of not only winning silverware, but doing so with elegance.

Pellegrini said: "I think we played in the way I want my team to play. It is an aggressive team.

"During the game we were scoring goals and not playing depending on whether we were winning or losing.

"We tried to play 90-minute football. I am sure the players are enjoying this way and we will try to continue.

"It was just one match but it is very important to continue this way and at the end of the season we will see who has won the title."

Confidence will be high heading to promoted Cardiff, who lost their first game of top-flight football in 51 years 2-0 at West Ham on Saturday.

City, however, will travel to the Welsh capital without influential captain Vincent Kompany after the Belgium defender suffered a groin injury on Monday.

The full extent of the injury is yet to be revealed but there are doubts the 27-year-old will be fit for next week's clash with Hull.

His absence leaves Pellegrini with defensive problems with Matija Nastasic having only returned to training this week - earlier than scheduled - after an ankle injury.

With Micah Richards also nursing a knock, midfielder Javi Garcia played alongside Joleon Lescott in a makeshift backline in the closing stages against Newcastle.

One other possible option is 22-year-old Dedryck Boyata, who is hoping to kickstart his City career after loan spells at Bolton and FC Twente in the past two seasons.

Striker Stevan Jovetic, the only one of City's four summer signings not to feature on Monday, is likely to be in contention after a minor hamstring issue.

PA