Manchester City and Chelsea produced yet another classic match in the Premier League yesterday. Both teams fought hard to get a win but drew 4-4 in a hardly contested game. City manager Pep Guardiola was obviously angry at the loss but couldn’t help but admire his opposition.
It is not often that a manager takes the chance to admire an opposition team in such a great manner; however, Pep also subtly managed to mock another rival team in the Premier League.
Did Pep Guardiola take a dig at Arsenal?
After the game, Pep Guardiola spoke at the post-game conference. Despite his team losing the lead at the last minute in a disappointing manner, he did not seem to be much troubled or worried. He instead lauded Mauricio Pochettino and his team for their superb performance, but while doing so, he managed to insult another team. That team is Arsenal, who are one of their rivals for the Premier League trophy.
In the interview with Sky Sports, he said, “They are a really good team so there’s no doubt. Liverpool couldn’t win. They were much, much better than Arsenal and in the end, Arsenal drew. So you know, it’s Chelsea, they won’t go away. I always have to think about what we can do to get better. It’s not going to happen that we come here and win 7-0. They are trying to rebuild. We have no complaints.”
The Spaniard has brought up the fact that Arsenal themselves failed to win at Stamford Bridge, which ended in a 2-2 draw thanks to heroics from Declan Rice. Chelsea had played better than the Gunners in that match and Pep didn’t forget that. Arsenal fans will definitely not like this sly dig from Pep.
Pep Guardiola hails Chelsea
After the game, Pep praised Chelsea and their ability to get back in games. When asked it he was disappointed by the loss, he simply replied, “It’s Chelsea, my friends. Chelsea is Chelsea, one of the greatest teams in the last 25 years.” It seems Pep acknowledges Chelsea as a great team, even if they are struggling now. He also praised Pochettino and admitted they were in a rebuild phase and would win trophies soon in the next few years.
The game was undoubtedly one of the best games so far in the Premier League this season. Going into the game as the underdogs, they conceded first in the 25th minute through an Erling Haaland penalty. But the Blues clapped back with two goals within 12 minutes, one from Thiago Silva and another from Raheem Sterling. City defender Manuel Akanji tied things back at halftime.
The second half started with another bizarre Erling Haaland goal, and in the 67th minute, Nicolas Jackson, the hat trick hero against Tottenham, equalized for Chelsea. Rodri scored City’s fourth goal in the 86th minute with a long-range shot, but former City man Cole Palmer managed to tie things up in the last minute with a cool penalty.
Currently, the Premier League is on break as the international break is underway. Pep Guardiola will next manage City in their game against Liverpool on November 25.
