English Premier League – Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United
Coaches react after the game
City Coach Pellegrini:
“The most important thing is to win the derby.
“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.
United coach Van Gaal:
“I said to the boys their willpower and labour were unbelievable and they can be very proud.
“The fans know the boys are willing to give everything for the shirt of the club. But at the end of the game, we have zero points. In this sport, it is always the goals that count.
“We were so close in spite of playing with ten men. We had more chances [with ten men] than in the first half. We are close but not close enough.
“We have 13 points out of 10 matches and Chelsea have a lot more, as do Manchester City so we have a problem. We need to improve and prove that we are not close but better. We will improve, that I promise because then we have 11 against 10 and that’s the most difficult way you can play for 45 minutes.”
“We have very good players so I don’t cry for the injuries. It’s a pity, but it’s not an excuse. When [Michael] Carrick and Paddy [McNair] came in we did fantastic. We can do it, but we have to score and today we didn’t score that’s why we don’t have one point or three.”
