Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini defended flop Edin Dzeko after the striker missed a sitter against Stoke. City were 1-0 up against the Potters at the time after Yaya Toure had bundled in Aleksandar Kolarov's cross and Dzeko was gifted a gilt edged chance to make it two moments later when Jesus Navas squared for the Bosnian to tap in from four yards. But the striker got his feet in a tangle and miscued his shot when presented with an open goal, and kicked the post in frustration afterwards. The miss further highlighted the Citizen's problems in front of goal, after firing blanks in three of their last four games prior to this in the absence of the injured Sergio Aguero. City have the highest goals tally in the topflight with 69 for, but they failed to get on the scoresheet against Barcelona, Norwich and Chelsea. But Pellegrini said he still trusts Dzeko - despite the fact he has not scored since the end of January - and his other remaining forwards; Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo, who has been suffering with a shoulder injury. The Chilean said in his post-match press conference:
"I think that every player has bad days. I think today he maybe had a bad day, but I continue trusting him, he had a very good performance, also Alvaro Negredo has come in from an injury, so sometimes these things happen in a match."
This win keeps City within three points of leaders Chelsea with a game in hand, and was much needed with both the Blues and second-placed Arsenal winning this afternoon. The victory was especially important following defeat to Barca midweek, and while they appear to be out of the Champions League, they remain in the title race despite losing their shooting boots.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
