English Premier League: Pellegrini tries to put gloss on City's season to forget

LONDON: Manuel Pellegrini says Manchester City must make a strong finish to restore some optimism after the champions surrendered the Premier League title without a fight.

By the time Pellegrini's side kick off at Tottenham on Sunday their reign will be over if leaders Chelsea get the win they need against Crystal Palace earlier in the day to guarantee top spot.

With a berth in next season's Champions League all but assured, the end of their title defence would leave second placed City with little to play for in their final four matches.

But, well aware that reports continue to suggest Pellegrini's position could be under threat, the Chilean knows a dynamic end to a frustrating campaign would be a timely reminder to his club's Abu Dhabi-based owners that he is still the right man for the job.

Despite lagging 13 points behind Chelsea heading into this weekend, Pellegrini tried to make a case for his continued employment by insisting City's rather limp efforts this season, which included once again underachieving in Europe with a Champions League last 16 exit, should not be regarded as a failure.

"I said last week that in a bad season it is not a shame to be second. I didn't say it was a good season," Pellegrini said.

"The players, the managers, the owners, the fans — we are not happy with what we did but I think we are working in the right way and we must arrange some things to try and win the title again next season."

Successive home wins over West Ham and Aston Villa have done little to get the critics off Pellegrini's back and he could have done without more jibes from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho this week.

Mourinho, who has long had a prickly relationship with Pellegrini, claimed City should have been deducted points for failing to fulfil the UEFA's Financial Fairplay requirements rather than getting away with a fine.

Pellegrini has tried to take the high ground when asked to respond to other verbal attacks from Mourinho, but the strain of City's inconsistent season may have taken its toll on the Chilean as he gave a tetchy reply to questions about his rival's latest swipe.

"Every manager can say what he wants about Financial Fair Play rules. We don't lose points because we don't deserve to," said Pellegrini, who will be without injured duo Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany at White Hart Lane.

"There are so many things he (Mourinho) always says that don't matter — about Chelsea or referees or the FA Cup or other managers or other things.

"When you think everything is normal to say to win, you can say what you want.

"If you ask me about this season Chelsea deserve to win the title because they have been the most consistent team."

Pellegrini's hopes of a strong run-in could face a stern test from sixth placed Tottenham, who must win to keep alive their fading hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

Trailing seven points behind the top four with four games remaining, Mauricio Pochettino's team will be out of the running if they lose to City, Manchester United beat West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal defeat Hull.

That could lead to clubs in the Champions League making bids for the likes of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, playmaker Christian Eriksen and top scorer Harry Kane.

But Pochettino will do everything he can to stop the long tradition of Tottenham selling stars like Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Michael Carrick.

"In football it is difficult," he said. "You can have a contract but there is never a guarantee.

"It is true, personally, if I want some player to stay with us I will fight a lot to keep him."