MAGNIFICENT
MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola branded Mauricio Pochettino’s withering attack a mistake and claimed he has never disrespected Tottenham Hotspur.
Pochettino launched an astonishing tirade towards the Manchester City manager on Friday, after he was infuriated by Guardiola labelling Spurs ‘the Harry Kane team’ following the Etihad club’s victory against Chelsea.
Tottenham boss had been stewing over that remark during the international break and Guardiola passionately defended his comments.
“I think Mauricio has made a mistake,” Guardiola said. “I’m really disappointed if he said that. Selhurst Park.
Palace took the lead in the 11th minute when Yohan Cabaye’s effort was deflected in for an own goal by Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta.
Tiemoue Bakayoko equalised for Chelsea seven minutes later as the France midfielder headed his first Premier League goal from a Cesc Fabregas corner.
However, Chelsea were already without injured duo Alvaro Morata and N’Golo Kante and they suffered another setback when Victor Moses limped off in the first half.
There was even worse to come for Chelsea as Wilfried Zaha restored Palace’s lead with a fine curling strike in first half stoppage-time.
Fabregas hit the crossbar but Chelsea were unable to avoid a second successive league defeat after their damaging 1-0 loss to Manchester City before the international break.
Antonio Conte’s fouth placed side, beaten three times this term, are now nine points behind City.
At Anfield, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left infuriated by United boss Jose Mourinho’s ultra-cautious game-plan.
Mourinho’s team had just six touches in Liverpool’s penalty area as United goalkeeper David De Gea made a superb save from Joel Matip to maintain the visitors’ unbeaten start to the season.
Klopp’s spluttering side have only one win in eight games in all competitions.
“I think Man United came here for the point and they got it,” Klopp moaned.
“I’m sure if we played like this, you could not do this at Liverpool. Obviously for Man United it is OK.”
Inevitably, Mourinho had no regrets, saying: “Their midfield today was stronger than my midfield. I had (Ander) Herrera and (Nemanja) Matic and nobody on the bench to make it different.
“The second half was a bit of chess, but my opponent didn’t open the door for me to win the game.”
Tottenham finally won for the first time at Wembley in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side had failed to win their first three league games since moving into Wembley while White Hart Lane is redeveloped, but Christian Eriksen’s deft 47th minute finish ended that frustrating streak. AFP