Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini said Chelsea played like a "small team" in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium and criticised their defensive style. Chelsea had the lead after Andre Schurrle scored but former Blues icon Frank Lampard made it all square five minutes from time when City were down to ten men.
Pellegrini said: "I think we played 90 minutes against a small team trying to defend. I would not be happy to play that way. Ten players defended their own half, they scored a counter attack and they continued to defend until the end." Pellegrini compared Chelsea's style to that of Stoke's, who managed to beat the Premier League champions 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium in August.
"I think we played against exactly the same team we played against Stoke here," Pellegrini added. "It was very difficult for us to score but finally we did. The result is not what both teams did during 90 minutes. I don't want to analyse Chelsea. What the other teams do, it is not my duty to analyse. I am happy because our team played in one way, we continued playing with 11 players, trying to score, and with one player less trying not to have another counter attack and concede a goal. We continue with the same ambition, teams will find it hard to beat us. The team performance was very good."
Responding to Pellegrini's statements, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said: "Many times he says he doesn't speak about me or my team but he continues to do so. Don't ask me about these words."
Chelsea are the top favourites to win the Premier League title according to the bookmakers, they are 4/6 at Bet365 to win the trophy while Manchester City are 11/4 to defend their title.
smiechowy 9 years ago
Well that's true they had a lead 1-0 and citizens got red card after that I didnt expect them to lose a goal and that lead, what's more lampard ashamed them his own team, but supporters seemed to forgive him that )
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Snoop 9 years ago
Well, I don't like Mourinho's style, but what can we say against him, he has only one motivation, he want good results and he is doing everything to make that true, results will be remembered in history and that is only important, everybody knows for Inter and Porto, they didn't played nice football, but they were champions...
Well, I don't like Mourinho's style, but what can we say against him, he has only one motivation, he want good results and he is doing everything to make that true, results will be remembered in history and that is only important, everybody knows for Inter and Porto, they didn't played nice football, but they were champions :)
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