Never a penalty, blasts Pellegrini

MANUEL PELLEGRINI accused Bernardo Silva of going to ground too easily to win Manchester City a decisive penalty at the Etihad Stadium last night. Referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot when Silva went down under a challenge from Felipe Anderson, allowing Sergio Aguero to score the only goal of the game. Former City boss Pellegrini said: ‘Bernardo Silva threw himself down when he felt a touch. Manuel Lanzini had the same thing in the other box but didn’t go down, so the referee didn’t whistle. ‘I think he (Silva) had a touch with Felipe Anderson but not to throw (himself). He felt the kick and he went to the floor. ‘The penalty was decisive for the result. Soft is being a little generous. It wasn’t a penalty. It was a play that happens a lot of times inside the box. If we had lost this game with another action then maybe we could accept it, but not that penalty.’ Pellegrini also claimed that City resorted to time-wasting in the final minutes to preserve their lead. ‘It’s not easy to stop Manchester City,’ he added. ‘Also, it’s not normal to see Manchester City trying to delay the game in the last four minutes to win 1-0.’