Pep Guardiola has rejected claims that his side were the architects of their own downfall after leaving Chelsea with a point, despite being in a winning position three times on Sunday.
The Blues fought back to draw Man City 4-4 at Stamford Bridge, with Cole Palmer scoring a late penalty to spare his new teammates’ blushes against his former side.
The result means that the reigning Premier League champions are now just a point ahead of second and third-placed Liverpool and Arsenal, but when asked if his side could have managed Sunday’s match better, Guardiola insisted that Chelsea were a better team than many gave them credit for.
He said: “What they [Chelsea] have done in the market is to do this. They will be there this season and for sure in future seasons because they are built for that.
“If you expect everyone to come here and win 0-7 then you are wrong. Do you know what Chelsea have done (to build this team)? In the past it was City, City, City who have done that.
“Look at what Chelsea have done to create that fantastic team? So it’s normal. I couldn’t have expected a different type of game, but we were close and maybe we didn’t manage perfectly in some moments – but it’s football.
“Always I give credit to the opponent. They played really good. Everyone wants to beat us because you know what happened in the past is a lot.
“There’s nothing to lose for them. If Chelsea lose against City people will say it’s normal. That isn’t the reality, always Chelsea at Stamford Bridge has been tough – since I came in this country, since I was in Barcelona, in Bayern Munich.
“Always really tough. So why not give credit to Chelsea?”
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