Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that his side felt no additional pressure to beat Manchester United this afternoon, despite a poor run of recent results.

The Citizens prevailed 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium to return to winning ways following three games without victory in all competitions.

Sergio Aguero scored the only goal shortly after the hour mark for the champions, which sees them move back within six points of Premier League leaders Chelsea.

"The pressure is the same," Sky Sports News quotes the Chilean as saying. "We wanted to win the game because we wanted the points.

"We want to retain our title and I think the pressure would have been the same even if we had won recent games. It's important always to win the derby because it's special. It is special to beat Manchester United. I am very happy for the three points."

Next up for City in the league is a trip to face Queens Park Rangers next weekend.