Pellegrini seeking a cure for captain Kompany

Vincent Kompany made his triumphant return to Manchester City from a lengthy injury spell this past week in a win against Sunderland only to leave the match after just a few minutes due to an aggravated injury that will leave him out of action for the foreseeable future.

The captain missed an eighth successive match with a calf problem as City lost 2-1 at Arsenal on Monday, a result that has left them six points adrift of leaders Leicester City going into the Christmas programme. I think we not only kept the ball, we went the whole game for the three points.

“For his return to be less than three or four weeks would be very hard”, Pellegrini said.

Allardyce’s side remain next to bottom of the Premier League, suffering a fourth successive defeat after conceding three goals in the opening 25 minutes.

However, the expensive and often criticised central defensive pairing produced an accomplished display at the King Power Stadium, keeping Leicester’s top scorer Jamie Vardy quiet for much of the game, while the Foxes’ other danger man Riyad Mahrez was also reduced to a bit-part role. The spirit we showed at Arsenal last season, then this year in wins against Stoke and Palace. But if you review how many games we played over the last two seasons, I think Vincent plays a maximum 70 per cent of the season.

“I think I have got to get the fear out of the players somehow”, Allardyce said.

Sunderland struggled to create chances, lone striker Steven Fletcher lifting an angled shot over the bar after getting in front of Mangala to reach Patrick van Aanholt’s left-wing cross, before Borini saw a shot beaten out at the near post by Joe Hart.

He was injured again during a 0-0 Premier League draw at Aston Villa on Nov 8, although still reported for worldwide duty in the days that followed as his country prepared for friendlies against Italy and Spain.

“I always enjoy these type of games, against really physical opponents who are very quick, where it is really important to do all the diagonals and anticipate every single movement”. It’s not easy for us but we want to fight with everybody.

“I wanted to see how my players responded after the Liverpool defeat and they responded well”. And let’s hope those good times keep rolling today, as City host Sunderland in the annual Boxing Day fixture.

“Lots of love to all of those who support me”.

The Italian said: “What we are doing is unbelievable”.