City back in business with Chelsea win, says Pep
Pep Guardiola said his Manchester City side were “back” on Sunday after they outclassed Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge to move into the top five of the Premier League.
City struck three times in 16 minutes in the first half with Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne on target as the visitors sent out a warning to the title contenders.
“We played really well. Unfortunately the last goal but the result at Stamford Bridge is fantastic. Today we were back like we were. An important win at Chelsea away,” Guardiola said.
“The Premier League is weird for everything. Everything is weird, just have to be focused during the games but otherwise relax. Hopefully in the Premier League in the last six, seven games we can be there fighting.”
Guardiola was without six players who were isolating because of a Covid19 outbreak at the club, including goalkeeper Ederson, Ferran Torres, Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus while Riyad Mahrez and Sergio Aguero were only on the bench after injuries.
“The result is incredible for us, especially the way that we played,” Guardiola said.
“Chelsea are one of the strongest teams, but we had a plan and tried to play how we’ve done in the past and it worked, the players were fantastic. We have to play to our rhythm. We won the
Premier League like that.”
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard saw many managers come and go during his stellar playing career at the team and knows that even being the club’s record goalscorer does not make him immune from the sack.
But he is not about to start fretting. “I’m not concerned [about pressure],” Lampard, Chelsea’s 14th managerial appointment in the reign of
Russian owner Roman Abramovich, told reporters.
“One month ago everyone was asking whether I’d sign a new contract, now people will be saying different things because in quick succession over a tight busy period we’ve lost four games of football,” he said. “The pressure remains constant in this job and you know in tough moments that will be there.
“I didn’t get into this job being unaware of that. My job is to keep working.”
FOXES CAN UPSET ‘BIG SIX’
Leicester have the potential to disrupt the dominance of the ‘Big Six’ in the Premier League, said Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers.
The Northern Irishman’s side lie third in the table after beating Newcastle 2-1 on Sunday.
Leicester — who in 2016 became the only club from outside the ‘Big Six’ to win the league title since 1995 — are third behindLiverpoolandManchesterUnited.
“We want to be a team that, year on year, can get European football,” said Rodgers.
“Our job is, can we disrupt the hierarchy? We might not financially — we don’t have the finances to go and get that £70 million, £80m, £90m player but we can in a football way.”