Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said his side was entering the international break dissatisfied with its start to the season following a surprise 1-0 home defeat by Stoke City.

City was well short of the form that delivered the Premier League title to the Etihad Stadium last season, falling to a fine second-half goal from former Man United forward Mame Biram Diouf in Saturday's game.

Pellegrini confessed his target had been to reach the international break with a maximum return from City's opening three games; an aim that seemed well within its grasp following an impressive win over Liverpool in its last home outing.