Pellegrini hails triumphant Manchester City's character

Title challengers Liverpool face 2-1 defeat against opponents

LONDON: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini hailed his team's character after they came from behind to beat fellow title challengers Liverpool 2-1 on Thursday to climb to second in the Premier League.

City fell behind to Philippe Coutinho's early goal but Vincent Kompany and Alvaro Negredo struck before half-time to ensure their side maintained a perfect home record this season.

"The most important thing was we were losing 1-0 and we had the character and trust to go for the win," Pellegrini told BT Sport television.

"In that moment when Liverpool scored their goal we had at least three clear chances to score but they scored first and it's difficult for a team to try to continue playing without being exposed to the counter attack that Liverpool do very well.”

City, champions in 2012 and runners-up last season, are one point behind league leaders Arsenal and two clear of fourth-placed Liverpool.

"I think it was very important to try to finish the year near the top of the table.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers took positives from his side's performance despite the fact they were knocked off the top.

"Overall I'm proud of the team, how we played, the charisma in our football and our passing," he said.

"We scored a wonderful goal and we felt we could have had two or three more. To lose we're bitterly disappointed but it was an outstanding performance."

Earlier, Theo Walcott had scored twice as Arsenal came from behind to win 3-1 against West Ham United at Upton Park.

We won the game in a convincing way: Wenger

Arsenal spurned several first-half chances and they were punished early in the second period when Carlton Cole put the hosts in front after Wojciech Szczesny spilled a shot from Kevin Nolan.

However, Walcott struck twice in three minutes to turn the game around, before Lukas Podolski crowned his comeback from a hamstring injury with a low strike in the 79th minute.

"We couldn't take our chances in the first-half and we responded very well in the second-half, in the end winning the game in a convincing way," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

"I am proud of the character of this team because they are always focused and try to do well."

Chelsea also leapfrogged Liverpool, moving up to third place by beating Swansea City 1-0.

Belgian winger Eden Hazard scored the game's only goal in the 29th minute at Stamford Bridge, cutting in from the left in familiar fashion before letting fly with a low drive that squeezed beneath Gerhard Tremmel.

"With the three points and clean sheet, I am satisfied," said Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

"But we had so many chances that you have to score at least once and create a more comfortable situation for yourselves."

RESULTS

Hull 2-3 Man United
Aston Villa 0-1 Crystal
Cardiff 0-3 Soton
Chelsea 1-0 Swansea
Everton 0-1 Sunderland
Newcastle 5-1 Stoke
Norwich 1-2 Fulham
Tottenham 1-1 West Brom
West Ham 1-3 Arsenal
Man City 2-1 Liverpool