Fulham 2 Man City 4: We were nervous, admits Manuel Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini admitted Manchester City were nervous after the Citizens almost threw away a two-goal lead at Fulham.

Citizens midfielder Yaya Toure opened the scoring with an emphatic free-kick effort before captain Vincent Kompany finished from close range in the 43rd minute.

We were nervous and not doing the right things

Manuel Pellegrini

However Fulham responded in the second half and drew level thanks to Kieran Richardson’s clinical finish and a Kompany own goal which looped over Joe Hart, who was restored to the starting line-up.

But City hoisted themselves above Arsenal into second place when Jesus Navas and James Milner restored the visitors’ two-goal cushion at Craven Cottage.

“The Premier League games are always close, especially when home teams are in bad positions in the table as they try to win points at home. We knew it would be difficult,” Pellegrini told BBC Sport.

“Before they scored for 2-1, we had three or four chances to score and when you miss so many chances the other team often scores. We had some bad luck for their second goal, it was unbelievable, but it was important for us to recover.

“At 2-2, they were playing better than us, we were nervous and not doing the right things.”

On Hart’s return to the line-up, Pellegrini added: “I think he did well. It was not easy. The pitch was very quick and there was a lot of wind but I think Joe had a very good game.”