Manuel Pellegrini hails 'satisfying' result against Stoke City

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that his side's narrow 1-0 victory over Stoke City is as satisfying as any other home result this season.

The Citizens, who struggled to make the breakthrough against the Potters up until Yaya Toure's 70th-minute winner, have brushed aside an array of opponents at the Etihad Stadium so far this campaign.

"We didn't create many chances because Stoke defended very well," the Chilean is quoted as saying by clubcall.com. "All the team were behind the ball and near the box, but we had the patience for the 90 minutes and finally we scored.

"The satisfaction is the same. We cannot expect to win by three or four goals every match. It is important to know how to win both ways."

The victory leaves City three points off leaders Arsenal in the Premier League with a game in hand over the Gunners.