Manuel Pellegrini has praised his Manchester City side for not taking their foot off the gas during their 4-0 win over Newcastle United in their Premier League opener.
In Pellegrini's first competitive match since he replaced Roberto Mancini as manager at Eastlands, David Silva and Sergio Aguero scored inside the first 20 minutes, before Steven Taylor was dismissed for the Magpies to put the Citizens in complete control.
However, City did not relax and instead added further goals through Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri, and Pellegrini was pleased that the hosts maintained their level of performance throughout the whole contest.
"For me, the most important thing was the way my team played for the 90 minutes," Pellegrini told Sky Sports News. "We didn't play one way when we were winning 2-0, we tried to play football during 90 minutes.
"We were attacking, defending, an aggressive team with possession of the ball, and we scored four goals but I think we had at least six or seven other chances.
"We didn't concede any goals either and for me it's very important the way my team played the 90 minutes."
City continue their Premier League campaign at Cardiff City next Sunday, before welcoming another newly-promoted side, Hull City, to the Etihad Stadium on August 31.
Joe Fish
