Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola backs Erling Haaland after 9 missed possibilities as Chelsea present actual character | Soccer Information

Pep Guardiola refused in charge Erling Haaland for missed possibilities after Manchester Metropolis had been held to a irritating 1-1 draw by Chelsea on Saturday Night time Soccer.

The usually prolific Haaland spurned plenty of alternatives, together with one obvious free header from six yards out because the champions had been held in a compelling Premier League contest on the Etihad Stadium.

Metropolis in the end wanted an 83rd-minute equaliser from Rodri to rescue some extent after their former ahead Raheem Sterling had put the Londoners heading in the right direction for an surprising win with a Forty third-minute effort.

Metropolis supervisor Guardiola mentioned: “It is good to have 9 photographs and subsequent time he will rating.

“I used to be a soccer participant for 11 years and scored 11 objectives. What stats! One aim a season. I am not a correct man to present recommendation to strikers.

“We create the possibilities, he had the possibilities and subsequent time he will rating. I do not blame him. It is soccer, it is human beings.”

Haaland seemed pissed off on the finish of the sport and pushed away a TV digital camera nevertheless it has been a troublesome week for the Norway worldwide after the dying of his grandmother.

The end result left Metropolis 4 factors off the highest of the desk in third place, after title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal received earlier within the day.

Metropolis dominated the second half however Guardiola felt they paid the value for a poor first-half show.

Guardiola mentioned: “As a crew and a gaggle, the primary half was not like we’re.

“The calls for are so excessive as a result of no-one goes to present it to us, we have now to do every part. We’re Manchester Metropolis so we have now to do it for ourselves on a regular basis.

“We had to enhance the primary half and the second half was unbelievable, how we performed and the way we made transitions.

“Generally, it was actually good after we conceded from Raheem however after we play groups with composure and status of Chelsea you must carry out at your finest for 95 minutes.”

Pochettino: We have to stay such a sport

Chelsea’s season has been one in every of inconsistency however supervisor Mauricio Pochettino felt they confirmed their true character in opposition to sturdy opposition.

Pochettino mentioned: “We tried to organize, all of the teaching workers, to make the plan for the sport however soccer is at all times a sport that belongs to the gamers and immediately the execution and the efficiency was from them. They confirmed character.

“It was a very necessary sport for us to maintain the momentum to grasp we’re in a great way and enhancing.

“Nonetheless we aren’t on the degree of Manchester Metropolis however that’s our purpose.

“We have to stay such a sport to enhance and to create the spirit we’d like. We present in each single sport we need to be aggressive.”

A blueprint to frustrate Metropolis?

Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Carragher:

“I do not suppose Liverpool and Arsenal will now simply copy Chelsea after they play Metropolis as they’re actually good groups however I do not suppose it is a secret play in opposition to them.

“It is simply troublesome to cease them as they’re so good. It is at all times been a case of forcing the ball vast and make them cross.

“It is at all times been about getting numbers into the centre of the pitch, do not allow them to penetrate between the thirds.

“Chelsea had a little bit of luck in direction of the top of the sport with the possibilities Haaland missed. We noticed the true Metropolis in direction of the top of the sport with them attending to the byline and pulling the ball again which makes it so onerous for defenders.

“The end result offers Liverpool and Arsenal perception that this Metropolis crew can drop factors. I do not suppose it is the top of the world for Manchester Metropolis as there’s so lengthy to go.

“All three groups going for the title simply must get to that March worldwide break and ensure they’re nonetheless in an incredible place.

“Who is aware of when the run-in actually begins? Some will say it is now, nevertheless it’s March and April when it actually hurts you much more [dropping points].”

Chelsea getting their act collectively?

Sky Sports activities’ Adam Bate:

Guardiola had spoken of Chelsea’s high quality beforehand, describing them as “an distinctive crew” however the suspicion was that this may be the acquainted sound of the Metropolis boss praising opponents just for them to go away the Etihad Stadium on the top of a beating.

However Chelsea had their techniques spot on. They knew that Metropolis would have a lot of the possession but when they had been capable of hold their composure when underneath strain and play that additional cross fairly than simply clear it, the openings would seem. They managed it repeatedly.

Palmer has that calmness, Gusto has the vitality from deep. Jackson and Sterling haven’t at all times been as ruthless as they need to have been this season – to say the least – and so they missed possibilities in Manchester. However the aim was excellent.

Pochettino will likely be simply as happy by the resilience proven. Conor Gallagher ran himself into the bottom. Axel Disasi got here up with block after block. Chelsea misplaced the lead late on. However they’ve discovered their spirit not too long ago. That might be extra necessary in the long term.

What’s subsequent?

Saturday twenty fourth February 5:00pm


Kick off 5:30pm

Man Metropolis play once more within the Premier League on Tuesday as they host Brentford; kick-off 7.30pm. They return to Sky Sports activities subsequent Saturday as they journey to Bournemouth on Saturday Night time Soccer; kick-off 5.30pm.

It’s one other enormous sport for Chelsea subsequent weekend as they tackle Liverpool within the Carabao Cup remaining at Wembley on Sunday February 25, stay on Sky Sports activities; kick-off 3pm.

Sunday twenty fifth February 2:20pm


Kick off 3:00pm

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