Manuel Pellegrini: Manchester City deserved to beat Leicester

Manchester City were held to a 0-0 draw and end 2015 three points behind a Leicester side level with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League,

Pellegrini told BT Sport: "I think we did more than Leicester to win the game. We had more possession, more attempts on goal, more clear (opportunities).

"But it was a tough game against a very good team. And I always say if you cannot win, don't lose it.

"I am not happy but not disappointed also because I think we played well but we couldn't score."

He refused to be drawn on a strong penalty appeal when Sergio Aguero was challenged by Gokhan Inler, saying:

"It was far from my position so I can't talk about that. But the important thing is there is a referee and the referee must have the decision."

Pellegrini thinks it's too early to know who will win the league, but that his side are in the race.

"I said when we lost to Arsenal that we prove a lot. We lost that game so it is very difficult when you don't win to say good things but we are in a very good position.

"We are going to be involved to the end in the fight for the league. We are in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup and through in the Champions League so I don't think it is important to split it into home and away. We are very strong at home.

"I don't think in December you can say who will be in the frame to win the title. At the end of January after six or seven more games maybe we can see more which teams will be involved."

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri said it seemed like nobody wanted to win the Premier League.

He said: "This league is very crazy because I think the big teams have to stay (at a) very very high level far (above) us, but sometimes it means nobody wants to win this league - it's very strange this league.

"I told my players we are the basement, but the others are a good villa with a swimming pool, party and everything - and then it's not easy for us but we want to fight against everybody."