STREETS AHEAD
Chelsea too clever as Guardiola loses cool
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 here. 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.’
Having matched Chelsea’s back three, City created a string of first-half chances for Aguero and a correctly-disallowed goal from Fernandinho.
However, Chelsea were too clinical on the counter-attack.
‘It was a really important performance because when you have this type of game against a really good team, you always have to show the right attitude and the will to win and fight,’ said Chelsea boss 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.’
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 awarded nothing.
Soon Eden 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.
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 70 minutes with another stunning counter-attack. 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 had the last word, Marcus Alonso feeding Hazard, who finished well.