Chelsea boss admits ‘we lacked belief and confidence to escape’

THOMAS TUCHEL admitted his side ‘lacked belief’ as Manchester City brought Chelsea’s unbeaten start to a shuddering end.

Chelsea failed to register a shot on target at Stamford Bridge yesterday afternoon, with Romelu Lukaku (pictured) starved of service and lost thanks to Gabriel Jesus’ winner shortly after half-time.

Tuchel suggested they played with fear and accepted that he will also question his own decision to operate conservatively against the Premier League champions.

‘We lacked belief and a confidence to escape,’ said the German.

‘With every mistake we made, we lost more and more confidence.

‘We played with a mentality that we had something to lose. It was not a good performance on any level if you want to deserve a result. We were so unprecise. We’re in it together, we win and lose together. I’ll ask the question of myself if it was the right shape but I’m not sure the shape was decisive to the result.’ Pep Guardiola now has more victories as City manager than any of their previous bosses, after breaking the 220 recorded by Les McDowall — and doing so in 227 fewer matches.

‘I’m so proud,’ said Guardiola. ‘I share it with all the people in the club for the years we have been together. All the staff, backroom staff.

‘Always we do it for the benefit of the club. To do it here, at the Champions League winners and especially for the way we played.’