Kompany loss puts damper on victory
THE only major concern for new Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini on a night when his players delivered an emphatic home victory was the loss of captain Vincent Kompany. The Belgian colossus limped off towards the end with a groin strain. City are already short of centrebacks as Matija Nastasic recovers from an ankle injury, though it is understood that Atletico Madrid are ready to sell Martin Demichelis if City offer £4million. ‘We will see tomorrow how Kompany is when the doctor sees him — it is not a serious injury and will possibly be one or two weeks,’ said Pellegrini, who was unable to include all of his £90m summer signings last night because Stevan Jovetic was not fit. Pellegrini paid tribute to striker Edin Dzeko, who was voted man of the match despite not getting on the scoresheet. ‘He had some good chances and deserved to score, but I am sure we will see the Dzeko that City bought two years ago,’ added the manager. ‘I spoke to him on my first day here and I think he will do well here.’ Dzeko would probably have left City this summer if Roberto Mancini had stayed in charge but is making the most of his second chance. The Bosnia striker said: ‘I wanted so badly to get a goal myself but at the end we won and the next game is coming, so I am ready. The new manager gives me confidence and that is what I needed.’ Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was upset with Steven Taylor for getting sent off after clashing with Sergio Aguero and said: ‘It was a silly action, I can’t defend him. You don’t want that on the first day.’