Pellegrini: We can change names but still Man City

Manchester city coach Manuel Pellegrini was delighted after seeing his changed Manchester City side beat Wigan Athletic 5-0 in a third round League Cup match at the Etihad Stadium last night. 

The Chilean made 10 changes from the Citizens squad that routed Manchester United 4-1 in the Premier League on Sunday, with midfielder Fernandinho the only player to keep his place.

Steven Jovetic grabbed a brace while Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure and Jesus Navas netted goals apiece to see Manchester City seamlessly go through to the next round of the competition.

And the manager stated after the game that he was happy with the way his side managed to keep up their high level of attacking display despite numerous changes on the personnel front.

He explained to his club’s official site: “We can change names but, for me, it was important to see today the same team we saw on Sunday – the same philosophy, the same intensity and of course, scoring 12 goals in a week is very important.

“It’s important for Stevan to score and play well, he wasn’t playing because he had some physical problems at the start of the season but for the last two weeks he’s been working hard.”

Manchester City have tasted defeat in a competitive fixture only once this season when the club were beaten 3-2 by Cardiff City in a Premier League game in August.