Guardiola wants champions, not invincibles after Chelsea defeat

LONDON: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insisted he had been proved right in dismissing any idea the champions would go the campaign unbeaten after a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea saw them lose for the first time in the Premier League this season and top spot to Liverpool.

However, Guardiola still took pride in City’s performance and urged his side to usurp Jurgen Klopp’s men, who took a onepoint lead in the title race with a 4-0 win at Bournemouth earlier on Saturday.

“I said that is not going to happen. We are not here to be invincible, we are here to be champions,” said Guardiola.

“We are calm, we move forward, it is part of the competition. There is no sport in the world: tennis; basketball; golf that one team win always. When people are saying that they are selling an illusion.

“It’s part of the competition. You can lose, but it is how you lose.”

City lacked the cutting edge of the injured Sergio Aguero up front as despite dominating the first-half, they failed to profit with Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane missed big chances.

The visitors were then hit with a sucker punch right on half-time when N’Golo Kante fired Eden Hazard’s pass into the roof of the net with Chelsea’s first serious attack.

And Guardiola warned that City’s dreams of winning the Champions League for the first time this season could end in similar fashion if they don’t learn to kill games against the toughest opposition when they are on top.

“That is the Champions League level. People say Man City are favourites for the Champions League. That is what is going to happen in the future on the biggest stages, but the way we played today is absolutely incredible.”

Full story @ timesofoman.com/Sports