Pep Guardiola waves away claims Man City were the masters of their own downfall against Chelsea as he insists Blues’ staggering £1bn spending spree means they should be among the Premier League’s top sides
- Manchester City had to settle for a draw against Chelsea after late drama
- Cole Palmer coolly stepped up to score a penalty against his old club
- Why We Should Be Excited About Cole Palmer – Listen to It’s All Coming Up here
Pep Guardiola blasted claims that Manchester City were the authors of their own demise at Stamford Bridge, insisting Chelsea’s £1 billion spend means they should be among the Premier League’s top contenders.
Treble holders City relinquished the lead to Mauricio Pochettino’s team three times. Cole Palmer eventually scored an injury time penalty to secure a point against the club he left in the summer.
But asked whether rival teams think City are more vulnerable this season, Guardiola said: ‘What they (Chelsea) have done in the market is to do this. They will be there this season and certainly in the coming seasons, because that is what they were built for.
‘If you expect everyone to come here and win 0-7, then you are wrong. Do you know what Chelsea did (to build this team)? In the past it was City, City, City that did that.
‘Look what Chelsea have done to create that fantastic team? So it’s normal. I couldn’t have expected a different kind of match, but we were close and maybe it didn’t work out perfectly at some moments, but it’s football.
Pep Guardiola expressed disdain at claims that Manchester City were the masters of their own downfall
The champion was put behind by Chelsea in injury time and had to settle for a point
Cole Palmer, who rose through the ranks at City, scored a dramatic final penalty
‘I always give credit to the opponent. They played very well. Everyone wants to beat us because you know what happened in the past.
‘There is nothing for them to lose. If Chelsea lose to City, people will say that is normal. That is not the reality. Chelsea at Stamford Bridge has always been tough, since I came to this country, since I was in Barcelona, in Bayern Munich.
‘Always very difficult. So why not give Chelsea some credit?”
Meanwhile, Pochettino praised his team’s mentality after their trio of comebacks, saying: “We showed the character, showed that against a team like Manchester City we also have the means to go for the goal, dominate and the ability to have to create. chances. I think it’s very important today.
‘From Monday it might be the point to build our confidence and believe in the way we work. Now it’s about translating how we will compete in the future.
Mauricio Pochettino praised his team’s mentality after their trio of comebacks
Pochettino also commented on VAR intervention to award City a controversial penalty in the first half
‘I’m very proud. So happy, I think the players deserve all the credit because the performance tonight was great. We are facing a team that for me is the best team in the world.
“Of course there are always things that can be improved, but it’s the process if you want to build a journey and build a project from scratch.”
City were awarded a controversial penalty in the first half, checked by VAR, when Marc Cucurella was judged to have interfered with Erling Haaland, who sent the penalty to put City ahead.
Pochettino added: ‘It was the opinion of the VAR, as I said before against Tottenham or when several coaches complained, and that is the opinion of someone sitting in a room with cameras. I don’t know what I can tell you.
‘Sometimes it’s for you, sometimes it’s against you.’