The Chilean believes his team lost their focus after finally breaking the deadlock, but says the overall result is all that matters on derby day.
“The most important thing is to win the derby,” said the City boss.
“We played well up until we scored the goal, but not as well after. This can happen in games of this intensity.
“We lost our way a little and stopped pressurising United when they had the ball, but the bottom line is that we have beaten a very good side with very good players so I am happy with the victory.”
City were denied what looked to have been three possible penalties during the game but Pellegrini refused to criticise referee Michael Oliver.
“It’s important to have a clean sheet and yes, we had three penalty appeals that were turned down,” he said. “But I don’t want to talk about the decisions that weren’t given because referee’s have a difficult enough job as it is.
It’s just good that we won and that those moments did not affect the results. We needed a good result today and I am happy we got one
...Pellegrini..
The boss also said he had no problem with the reported angry reaction of Sergio Aguero who was substituted late on as no more than disappointment and something that is only to be expected in such an important, tense game.
He also confirmed that Eliaquim Mangala has a slight muscle problem, but revealed it’s not a major injury and that he hopes he will be available for the game against CSKA on Wednesday.
