League Cup: Pellegrini 'worried' after holders Man City dumped out
Newcastle will now face Tottenham in the quarter-finals
LONDON:
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has admitted he is ‘worried’ about his side's form after they were knocked out of the League Cup by Newcastle United.
The holders fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, after goals from Rolando Aarons and Moussa Sissoko, and have now gone three games without a win ahead of Sunday's derby at home to Manchester United in the Premier League.
To compound matters, influential midfielder David Silva was forced off by an early knee injury, and Pellegrini conceded after the game that he has problems on his hands.
"Of course we must be worried — we didn't win the three games we played this week," said the Chilean, whose team has also made a slow start in the Champions League.
"We must be worried about that, but we must find a solution. We will see with the players which is the way to try and recover that confidence because it's not normal to see this team playing the way we are now."
Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, whose side will visit Tottenham Hotspur in the last eight, paid tribute to Ryan Taylor, who made an impressive return to action after over two years on the sidelines.
The 30-year-old utility player had not played since August 2012 due to serious knee problems, but he set up Rolando Aarons' sixth-minute opener and foiled City striker Edin Dzeko with a late goal-line block.
"Our staff has been very impressed with his conduct. He is a beacon of light in professional football," said Pardew.
Elsewhere, Graziano Pelle took his tally for the season to nine goals as in-form Southampton survived a late Stoke City rally to win 3-2 at the Britannia Stadium and set up a trip to third-tier Sheffield United.
And, in the evening's other game, second-half goals from Erik Lamela and Harry Kane gave Tottenham a 2-0 victory at home to second-tier Brighton and Hove Albion.
Swansea appeal against Fernandez red card
Swansea City announced on Wednesday that they have appealed against defender Federico Fernandez's dismissal during their 2-1 loss at Liverpool in the League Cup on Tuesday.
The Argentina international centre-back was shown a straight red card by referee Keith Stroud after an injury-time challenge on Philippe Coutinho and now faces a three-match suspension.
"Swansea City can confirm that the club will be appealing the red card issued to defender Federico Fernandez against Liverpool last night [Tuesday]," said Swansea in a statement on their website.
The Football Association will make a decision on the appeal ahead of the Swans' Premier League trip to Everton on Saturday.
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has admitted he is ‘worried’ about his side's form after they were knocked out of the League Cup by Newcastle United.
The holders fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, after goals from Rolando Aarons and Moussa Sissoko, and have now gone three games without a win ahead of Sunday's derby at home to Manchester United in the Premier League.
To compound matters, influential midfielder David Silva was forced off by an early knee injury, and Pellegrini conceded after the game that he has problems on his hands.
"Of course we must be worried — we didn't win the three games we played this week," said the Chilean, whose team has also made a slow start in the Champions League.
"We must be worried about that, but we must find a solution. We will see with the players which is the way to try and recover that confidence because it's not normal to see this team playing the way we are now."
Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, whose side will visit Tottenham Hotspur in the last eight, paid tribute to Ryan Taylor, who made an impressive return to action after over two years on the sidelines.
The 30-year-old utility player had not played since August 2012 due to serious knee problems, but he set up Rolando Aarons' sixth-minute opener and foiled City striker Edin Dzeko with a late goal-line block.
"Our staff has been very impressed with his conduct. He is a beacon of light in professional football," said Pardew.
Elsewhere, Graziano Pelle took his tally for the season to nine goals as in-form Southampton survived a late Stoke City rally to win 3-2 at the Britannia Stadium and set up a trip to third-tier Sheffield United.
And, in the evening's other game, second-half goals from Erik Lamela and Harry Kane gave Tottenham a 2-0 victory at home to second-tier Brighton and Hove Albion.
Swansea appeal against Fernandez red card
Swansea City announced on Wednesday that they have appealed against defender Federico Fernandez's dismissal during their 2-1 loss at Liverpool in the League Cup on Tuesday.
The Argentina international centre-back was shown a straight red card by referee Keith Stroud after an injury-time challenge on Philippe Coutinho and now faces a three-match suspension.
"Swansea City can confirm that the club will be appealing the red card issued to defender Federico Fernandez against Liverpool last night [Tuesday]," said Swansea in a statement on their website.
The Football Association will make a decision on the appeal ahead of the Swans' Premier League trip to Everton on Saturday.