• Pellegrini happy Jovetic is off to a flier a 2nd term after miserable debut season
• Montenegrin scored twice, and Aguero added City’s third goal at the Etihad
• Win over Liverpool a psychological boost
Manuel Pellegrini is glad Stevan Jovetic has seized an opportunity to cement a starting role for himself at Manchester City, after scoring a brace in Monday night’s home win over title contenders Liverpool.
After featuring in most of the champions’ pre-season games, the rejuvenated Montenegrin wiped off memories of an injury-wrecked maiden season with a superb two-goal performance at the Etihad Stadium, in absence of the injured Alvaro Negredo and super-sub, Sergio Aguero, who grabbed his side’s third within 23 seconds of coming on for Edin Dzeko.
Asked whether the striker had finally started to deliver Pellegrini said: “Yes and not only on his goals.
“He was working the whole game, without the ball too. He was very unlucky last season but we never had any doubt about this quality. To start the season in this way after an unlucky new season is good but I don’t think it is like a new signing.
“We need four strikers. At this moment Stevan is doing very well but you cannot forget Negredo is injured. Edin Dzeko and Jovetic and Aguero are working well. It is important that they continue playing the way they did.”
Pellegrini’s side were all smiles in the end of a marathon title race last season, as Liverpool missed out on a glorious opportunity to win their first Premier League title after dropping points against Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
The early Premier League heavyweight clash could be more of a moral booster and an unlikely title decider, two games into the new season.
The Chilean boss reckons such win are capable of shaping the remainder 36 games in the race for the title.
“For me these are games of six points – especially when you play at home,” he added. “Liverpool are an important team and one that will be fighting for the title. We have had a hard start to the season so it is important for us to win the second game.”
