Pellegrini takes 'small team' swipe at Mourinho, Chelsea

London - Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has taken a swipe at old rival Jose Mourinho by claiming he wouldn't want to win the Premier League in the manner of champions-elect Chelsea.

Mourinho's table-toppers can wrestle the title away from reigning champions City if they beat Crystal Palace on Sunday.

But Pellegrini is not a fan of the cautious tactics deployed by Mourinho.

The 61-year-old Chilean described the west Londoners as playing "like a small team" after the sides drew at Eastlands in September.

Pellegrini prefers a more expansive approach and, with the title almost out of reach, he took aim at Mourinho just days after the Blues boss claimed City should have been deducted points for failing to meet UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.

"We won exactly the same as Chelsea did this year in a different way last season, absolutely a different way," Pellegrini said on Friday.

"I always try to think in the same way when we are losing or winning.

"When we play against Chelsea I say the impression is we play against a small team with very good players.

"For me, a big team which has possession of the ball must try to score more goals, must try always to win.

"But, I repeat, the most important thing is to win. After that you can choose the style you want.

"I don't criticise him (Mourinho). It is different ways of thinking. Every person is different, I don't think every person must be exactly the same.

"Maybe for some managers it's more attractive to score goals. Maybe for another manager it's more attractive not to concede goals. You must ask the fans what they prefer.

"This season I think that Chelsea were the best team, that he (Mourinho) deserves to win the title because he has (had) the most consistent team with very good players."