Manuel Pellegrini confirms "serious" Samir Nasri injury

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that Samir Nasri has sustained a "serious knee injury" in the 2-0 victory over Newcastle United this afternoon.

The France international had to be stretchered off the field on 79 minutes after going down under a challenge from compatriot Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, prompting the Chilean coach to assert that it was a tackle deserving of a straight red card.

Pellegrini went on to confirm that the former Arsenal midfielder suffered medial ligament damage, but added that he will not know the extent of the injury until Monday.

He told Sky Sports: "The kick he made to Nasri was absolutely a red card directly.

"Nasri has I think a serious injury to his knee, we will see tomorrow. I repeat it was a direct red card. It's his medial ligament. We will see tomorrow what has happened with him."

Despite Nasri's injury, the Sky Blues moved top of the Premier League table, with Edin Dzeko firing the visitors into the lead before Alvaro Negredo continued his fine goalscoring form by securing the points in the closing stages.