Manchester City manager Pellegrini explains THAT touchline bust-up with Zabaleta

[Manchester Evening News]

Manuel Pellegrini opened up about his touchline row with Pablo Zabaleta,
revealing he substituted the Argentine defender for his own good.

Zabaleta was taken off after 67 minutes of Manchester City's 3-0 win at
Chelsea, following a torrid evening at Stamford Bridge.

There was a heated exchange between the veteran right back and his manager as
he stomped towards the bench, with Pellegrini firing some stern words in his
direction.

And City's Chilean manager admitted Zabaleta was angry about his early
withdrawal - but insists it was the right decision with the 31-year-old in
danger of being red-carded.

![](http://i2.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article11183673.ece/ALTERNA
TES/s615b/JS87220181.jpg)

Pellegrini said: "Of course he was very upset - but it is my duty to do the
right change in the moment I think we must do it.

"Pablo was with a yellow card. One foul more and all the fans of Chelsea,
every time, will be trying to pressure the referee to send him off. That's why
it was important to change."

****

Zabaleta, who has seen Bacary Sagna overtake him as City's first-choice right-
back this season, was also criticised by fans on Twitter for his performance.

> Watching Zabaleta get skinned week in, week out is painful

>

> -- BlueMoonRisingTV (@BMRisingTV) [April 16,
2016](https://twitter.com/BMRisingTV/status/721391624903921664)

> [@pablo_zabaleta](https://twitter.com/pablo_zabaleta) we all love you fella,
you are Mr Manchester City. But you had to come off today for the sake of the
team.

>

> -- Bryobry (@bryobry) [April 16,
2016](https://twitter.com/bryobry/status/721419355720953856)

City secured only their second win at Stamford Bridge in 23 years, thanks to a
Sergio Aguero hat-trick.

The Argentine striker scored either side of half time to City in complete
control, before stepping up to convert from the penalty spot after Thibaut
Courtois was sent off for bringing down Fernandinho in the area.

### Chelsea 0-3 City

[ ![](http://i1.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article11196678.ece/ALTER
NATES/s225/JS87571022.jpg) Match report
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news
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ngnews.co.uk/incoming/article11196685.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS87571018.jpg)
Player ratings ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football
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.jpg) Fan delighted ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football
/football-news/man-city-chelsea-fans-react-11190237) [ ![](http://i1.mancheste
reveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article8553985.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/Chelsea-v-City-
match-centre-pic-1.jpg) As it happened
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vs-man-city-live-11194234) [ ![](http://i3.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incomin
g/article11196833.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS87574495.jpg) Yaya: How we won
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incoming/article11197222.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS87574065.jpg) Aguero goal race
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-
city-chelsea-aguero-goals-11197229) [ ![](http://i4.manchestereveningnews.co.u
k/incoming/article11196844.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS87573837.jpg) Zaba bust-up
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news
/zabaleta-manchester-city-pellegrini-row-11197230) [ ![](http://i3.manchestere
veningnews.co.uk/incoming/article11163522.ece/ALTERNATES/s225/JS86964007.jpg)
The team ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news
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