Manuel Pellegrini believes that his Manchester City players are searching for revenge after failing to win a trophy last season.

City were beaten to the league title by their rivals Manchester United and suffered a 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final.

However, under the guidance of Pellegrini they are in contention in four competitions and face Sunderland in the Capital One Cup final in March.

The former Malaga boss says that the players are eager to prove the doubters wrong and win their "revenge".

"This season maybe they are hurt for what happened last season. They needed to demonstrate again what kind of players they are," Pellegrini is quoted as saying by the Daily Star.

"It is very important in that sense to win things and the only way to win is with a high performance from all of them, but with style to do it.

"Maybe of course I think they want revenge."

City are two points behind Arsenal in the Premier League, but could go top with a win against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.