MAN CITY 1 EVERTON
COSTA TOLD WHO’S BOSS
Guardiola had taken a small gamble – perhaps with the Champions League trip in mind – of leaving Aguero on the bench.
The Argentinian had only just returned from south America where he missed a penalty against Paraguay. He f ared no better against Stekelenburg.
With two blips against Steaua Bucharest, perhaps it is time the Manchester City’s boss examined his options in that area.
It was Nolito who saved City’s blushes with a good finish.
So, it wasn’t a bad day in the office for Guardiola. Merely a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted in the Premier League.
And thank heaven for that. RONALD KOEMAN claimed Manchester City are the best team he’s ever faced after keeper Maarten Stekelenburg had the game of his life at the Etihad. Koeman said: “Maybe the goalkeeper played his best game ever today but our defensive organisation was fantastic and so was the fighting spirit of the team. And you need that against City because they are the best team I have taken on in my managerial career.” Pep Guardiola claimed he wasn’t sure if his stars would do penalty practice in future despite missing four out of eight so far this season. “It is not just about missing a penalty. I don’t know if we will practice them, maybe we will,” said the Spaniard who is without a win in three games as he heads back to Barcelona in the Champions League. “I don’t have time to practice everything I want to practice, with 80 per cent of the players on international duty. ANTONIO CONTE told Diego Costa there’s only room for one gaffer at CHELSEA after the Brazilian threw a major strop in the 3-0 victory over LEICESTER.
Costa signalled to the bench that he wanted to be substituted midway through the second half.
He was only a booking away from being banned for Jose Mourinho’s return with Manchester United a week today, and he didn’t want to risk missing that match.
But Conte refused to take him off and when Costa realised he made his fury clear by gesticulating frantically towards his manager. Conte said: “I decided. Always I take the responsibility in every situation. In positive or negative situations. It’s always my decision whether or not a player is substituted.
“If I can, I keep Costa until the end of the game. I know I risked it because, if Costa took another yellow card, he will miss the next game.”
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri left Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani on the bench ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Copenhagen. He said: “I’d make the same decision again.”