Pellegrini: City should have had a penalty

Stoke claimed a surprise 1-0 triumph at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a wonderful solo effort from Mame Biram Diouf, the Senegal international netting his first league goal since joining from Hannover.

City dominated possession for long periods but could not find a way through the Stoke defence, although they did have a big appeal for a penalty turned down by referee Lee Mason after Erik Pieters appeared to fell Yaya Toure in the box.

Chilean Pellegrini believes his side should have been awarded a spot-kick following that incident, however, the 60-year-old pinpointed City's failure to create chances as the primary reason for defeat.

"It doesn't matter, all of you know that it was a clear penalty but it doesn't matter. I don't want to analyse the game just in one play," Pellegrini said.

"We tried to create space, Stoke defended very well in the first half and in the second also.

"We couldn't create space but I think in the attitude we did all that we could do.

"We didn't play well in the creative way, it was too easy in the way they scored the goal in counter-attacking a corner in their own box, he [Diouf] ran 70 metres to score the goal."

Despite the loss, Pellegrini is refusing to panic and insists City will continue to play in the same free-flowing style that saw them emerge as Premier League champions last term.

"It's always serious to lose three points here at home, it's important for our team to try to win the nine points before the international break," he added.

"It's not good to start this international break with a defeat but this game always happens once a year, we [will be] working in the same way we are doing."

Latest in
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Premier League ball
Quiz! Can you name the players to have scored Premier League hat-tricks?
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report