Edin Dzeko stars as Manchester City show class to overcome tenacious Hull City at KC Stadium

CHAMPIONS Manchester City withstood a fightback by Hull City to record a 4-2 win at the KC Stadium that saw them climb to third on the EPL ladder.

Manchester City's Edin Dzeko, rear, beats Hull City's Liam Rosenior to score his side's third goal during their English Premier League match at the KC Stadium, Hull England Saturday Sept. 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Anna Gowthorpe/PA) UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE

CHAMPIONS Manchester City withstood a fightback by Hull City to record a 4-2 win at the KC Stadium that saw them climb to third on the Premier League table.

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With Willy Caballero preferred to Joe Hart in goal by City manager Manuel Pellegrini, the visitors went 2-0 up through a hooked finish from Sergio Aguero and a fine strike by Edin Dzeko.

However, a pair of blunders by City’s new centre-back Eliaquim Mangala allowed Hull back into the game.

The France international headed Liam Rosenior’s cross into his own net in the 21st minute and then conceded a penalty with a high boot on Abel Hernandez, who converted from the spot to level the scores.

But after Yaya Toure had hit the post, David Silva released Dzeko to restore City’s lead in the the 68th minute before substitute Frank Lampard side-footed in his fourth goal in three games late on.

Pellegrini said the win was vital considering Chelsea’s fast start to the season.

Edin Dzeko slides in to score City’s third.

“It was very important because we cannot drop more points,” Pellegrini said.

“Chelsea are five points in front of us, so for us it was very important to win away.

“It was important to win away because we lost important points at home against Chelsea and Stoke, so we must recover by winning away games.”

Pellegrini was pleased with the character shown by his players after overcoming the setback of letting a two-goal lead slip in the first half.

“We started very well, not only because we scored two goals, but the way we started the game was good,” he said.

“We dominated the game, had possession of the ball and had other chances to score.

“After conceding the two goals the team felt a little bit unbelievable in that moment, but we had the character in the second half to go again and score two goals.”

The City boss defended the performance of off-season signing Mangala.

“He was very unlucky in the first goal,” said Pellegrini.

Frank Lampard got on the scoresheet again.

“It was a difficult position to score, but he did.

“Maybe he felt he was not playing with the same trust. The penalty can happen, and the important thing as a team is we could fix it.”

And he also played down his decision to hand Willy Cabellero a Premier League debut in place of Hart.

“I think for Willy it was good to play not just one game but to play two in a row,” he said.

“Joe played eight games in 32 days, a lot of games for a goalkeeper. I have a squad of 22, 23 players and I make rotations because I think it is better for the team.

“In this case I think it was good for Willy.”

Originally published as Edin Dzeko stars as Manchester City show class to overcome tenacious Hull City at KC Stadium