Slaven Bilic predicts where Arsenal, Man City will finish this season

“The Premier League is so demanding that you can’t play at 80 per cent. I’ve tried to do that before and that’s when I’ve injured myself”.

The Hammers continued to press for a second in the latter stages of the first period, but the two teams entered the interval on terms following a pulsating opening 45 minutes in the English capital.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has revealed the extent of his attempts to lure Barcelona maestro and close friend Lionel Messi to Manchester.

“Now I won’t risk myself – as happened for the game against Sunderland”.

“I was happy to score twice but I was even more happy with the victory and to win the game”, he said. “I had to move my feet quickly”.

Pellegrini expects a lower total to become champions this season, but he won’t mind as long as City finish top.

City face Slaven Bilić’s West Ham on Saturday in East London, with the Hammers claiming a 2-1 win at the Etihad in September.

West Ham’s whole midfield cost less than the individual fees for Yaya Toure, Kevin De Bruyne, Jesus Navas or David Silva, but the City quartet were distinctly second best as they were bullied out of it. Toure in particular was brutally exposed as a holding midfielder, and it must concern City supporters that Manuel Pellegrini did not agree with criticism of his captain. “I hope he will continue like us until the end of the season”. “For me, it would be good if they win the league”.

“We play every three days and just eat and rest between games – so the weather is not really that important”. They are still dealing with big injuries though and will be without the services of captain Vincent Kompany, Samir Nasri, and Wilfried Bony.

“You have to watch where the runs are coming from and with the second goal, it is trying to get the blocks in”.

“We were a little bit disappointed but I said to the players they shouldn’t be”.

In the 56th minute, Enner Valencia added to his tally with his second goal of the game to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

The Cameroonian says there is more to come: “I’m not back to my best yet”.

“We know it won’t be easy because they are a good side with some very good players, many of whom are in a good moment”. It’s a pleasure to play every week with the players that we’ve got.

“I think in our heads we have to be aware that we’re a strong side that is capable of beating anybody and that’s how we have to approach all our games”.