CITY ARE CHOKERS
Guardiola’s superstars blow it as Chelsea steal a march at the Etihad
MATCH REPORT
IN the end, Manchester City lost their composure and Pep Guardiola lost just a little of that iconic status he brought with him to England.
From afar, he can seem coolness personified. Close up yesterday, as he sarcastically applauded referee Anthony Taylor, clenched his fists and gave the thumbs up when a decision finally went his way, he seemed anything but.
Guardiola lost four games last season in the Bundesliga; he has lost four in two months in England. And maybe that accounts for increased tetchiness and lack of gravitas.
For City were outsmarted yesterday, as Chelsea increased their lead at the top of the Premier League. ‘We aren’t strong enough in the box,’ said Guardiola, meaning both their defending and their finishing.
In his words, he was diplomatic and poised, apologising for the melee at the end which finished with two of his players sent off and refusing to blame the referee.
Yet his contemptuous actions on the touchline spoke louder. And his team followed the lead disintegrating at the end. Sergio Aguero was first with his awful challenge on David Luiz, for which he received his second red card of the season and a four-match ban.
Guardiola said he believed it was ‘not intentional’ but that seemed some way off the mark. Fernandinho followed in the subsequent brawl, for pushing Cesc Fabregas over the advertising hoardings and he may yet receive more than a three-match ban given that he had to be manhandled off the pitch.
Fabregas, who had slapped Fernandinho, and Nathaniel Chalobah were also booked but all around the Etihad it was clear City felt bruised, unfairly treated and hard done by.
‘We did not lose the game because of the referee,’ Guardiola said afterwards. ‘And it was pity to finish like that. I apologise. I have to adapt, I have to learn. I am not here to change anything. I’m just in the process of understanding. It is completely different in Italy, in Spain, in England. I have to adjust.’
Certainly there is a sense that, with so many chances and having played so well for so long, City should have won this game. Having matched Chelsea’s back three, City created a string of firsthalf chances for Aguero and a correctly-disallowed goal from Fernandinho.
Yet there was that nagging feeling that Luiz might have been sent off in the 31st minute; that City might have been awarded two penalties. But perhaps the gravest doubt in their minds is that they are all too easily picked off by more worldlywise players.
Chelsea were that by some distance, a team with the mark of title winners. Playing on the counter attack, they pulled City apart on three separate occasions and that was enough to ensure the Etihad was half empty by the final whistle.
‘It was a really important performance because when you have this type of game against a really good team, you have always to show the right attitude and the will to win and fight,’ said Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
‘Today we were losing 1-0 and we showed great character and great determination to find the draw and then to win the game.’
Conte will not acknowledge their title credentials just yet. ‘I repeat we have to wait for the first part of the season because we know that this league is not easy. Now we are playing very well and we have good confidence, but it is important to work and improve because there is room to improve.’
Chelsea are well rested, having excused themselves from cup competitions. But they are also more streetwise than the rest. Diego Costa was outstanding again in the second half; Luiz, for all the controversy he would attract, utterly compelling as a leader. And they have quality: Costa, Willian and Eden Hazard’s strikes were all excellent while Fabreags, back in the team, produced lovely assists.
‘I am pleased for Cesc,’ said Conte. ‘This game wasn’t easy for him. The last game he played was against Arsenal and then he had an injury. Now he has recovered and I am very happy for his performance. He must continue to improve.’ The Luiz incident was key. Kevin De Bruyne played a delightful 40 yard-ball for Aguero, who beat Gary Cahill. Luiz headed him off with a shoulder charge. Referee Taylor, unloved by City fans, looked as though he might award a free-kick to City but seemed to receive advice from his assistant not to. The Etihad erupted, aghast.
Soon Hazard almost scored on the counter. City were forewarned yet they did take the lead their performance merited on 45 minutes, when a poor cross from Jesus Navas saw Cahill inexplicably divert the ball over his own goalkeeper’s head in a forlorn attempt to block.
At the start of the second half Thibaut Courtois saved from De Bruyne and Aguero stole in to steal Marcos Alonso’s loose pass, but Cahill recovered to clear off the line. Then came the sweeping, glorious move on 58 minutes which ended with De Bruyne six yards out with an open goal. He hit the bar — and Guardiola clutched his head in despair. Two minutes later, Chelsea finally reacted. Fabregas produced a lovely, lofted ball for Costa. The striker took it perfectly on the top of the chest, rounded Nicolas Otamendi and shot decisively home.
From being overwhelmed, Chelsea suddenly looked as though they had a plan. Even more so on 71 minutes with another stunning counterattack. City were pressing for the winner, but Guardiola’s system leaves his sides extraordinarily open. Chelsea cleared, Hazard found Costa who simply spun Otamendi with ease and played in Willian, racing goalwards. His finish was superb, his celebration initially ecstatic and then muted as he held up a black armband to pay tribute to his compatriots who died in the Chapecoense plane disaster.
City went on searching but Chelsea would have the last word, Alonso feeding Hazard, who sprinted away and finished clinically.
11 Diego Costa moved one goal clear of Sergio Aguero at the top of the Premier League scoring charts and is level with Alexis Sanchez