Man City 4 Cardiff City 2: Manuel Pellegrini hails ‘fantastic’ display

Manuel Pellegrini revealed his delight at Manchester City’s “fantastic” performance after watching his side beat Cardiff City to keep pace with league leaders Arsenal.

Edin Dzeko gave City the lead at The Etihad in the 14th minute as he netted the club’s 100th goal of the season, but Craig Noone restored parity with a low strike after half an hour.

We play with fantastic intensity and that is how we must continue

Manuel Pellegrini

However, City fought back and Jesus Navas made it 2-1 heading into half-time.

Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero then both netted after the break before Fraizer Campbell managed a late consolation for the visitors.

“Maybe I am not 100 per cent happy because we conceded the second goal in the last minute,” Pellegrini, whose side remain a point behind Arsenal, told BBC Sport.

“But we scored four and missed five or six clear chances so if we continue to play like we are, we are always going to score more than we concede.

“We are playing fantastic football at the moment. We play with fantastic intensity and that is how we must continue.

“The best way to play is the way we are playing now. I know it is easier to go back with 10 players in our box and try and have a couple of counter attacks, but that is not my way, it is not the style I think this club wants.”

Asked about the form of Aguero, Alvaro Negredo and Dzeko, he added: “It is impossible for me to have a headache when you have three strikers playing at the level they are at the moment.”