Premier League: Manuel Pellegrini hails Manchester City's win over Tottenham

Sergio Aguero starred in a 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, but Manuel Pellegrini was pleased with Manchester City's collective showing.

Argentine frontman Aguero enjoyed a productive afternoon at the Etihad Stadium, netting all four goals for City in a game which could have gone even better had he converted all three of the penalties he stood over.

A first-half failure mattered little in the end, with City sweeping to a convincing victory over a Spurs side that paid the ultimate price for Roberto Soldado’s second-half miss from 12 yards and Federico Fazio’s costly red card.

Pellegrini was delighted to see his side display a ruthless streak, but was quick to point out that the result was not solely down to Aguero, with Joe Hart – who kept out Soldado’s spot-kick – one of several players to shine for the hosts.

He said: “First of all when we win a game it is not just because of one or two players. I think the whole team had a good performance.

I am not just saying this because he scored four goals today, but I think Kun is one of the best three or four strikers in the world.

“Of course when you score four goals as Kun (Aguero) did today or make as many saves as Joe Hart, it is very important for our team. But it isn’t fair not to talk about James Milner, Jesus Navas, (Vincent) Kompany or (Bacary) Sagna and what they did because all the team played well – although we made some mistakes.”

Pellegrini was, however, full of praise for his star striker, with Aguero once again showing why he is ranked among the most deadly marksmen in world football.

The City boss added: “I am not just saying this because he scored four goals today, but I think Kun is one of the best three or four strikers in the world.

“Last year he had injuries but now, this season, he is working very well – he didn’t start the first game so he could be 100 per cent fit.

“He won’t score four every game but he will demonstrate why everyone says he is one of the best players in the world.

“Joe is the No. 1 keeper in England. He made important saves today, especially the penalty, but he also made a good save in the first five or six minutes which was important so we did not start with conceding a goal.

“We need every player in the team at a high level if we are going to do something.”

The one negative on an afternoon of positives for City was the sight of former England international Frank Lampard being stretchered from the field on 28 minutes.

Pellegrini said of the 36-year-old midfielder: “Frank has a muscle injury.

“We will see tomorrow after the scan but for the moment he will not travel to Russia (to face CSKA Moscow on Tuesday).”