Pep Guardiola said Manchester City's 4-4 draw at Chelsea was proof that his team have not gone "soft" after winning the Treble last season, despite conceding three lead on three occasions at Stamford Bridge.
A 95th minute penalty scored by Cole Palmer, who joined Chelsea in a £40m transfer from City in September, sealed a point for Mauricio Pochettino's side to extend their revival under the former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain coach.
But although City uncharacteristically failed to close out a game after repeatedly being in a winning position, they go into the international break with a one point lead over Liverpool -- their next opponents -- at the top of the Premier League.
And Guardiola said that his side have shown that they have not dropped their standards since winning the Treble.
"We are top of the league and qualified in the Champions League," Guardiola said. "From where we have come from [last season], when you can have the tendency to be more soft, it is the complete opposite. It hasn't happened.
"If you expect come here and win 7-0, you are wrong. Everyone want to beat us. You say there is nothing to lose for them because if Chelsea lose to City, it's normal, City are a fantastic team.
"But it isn't normal. Chelsea has always been a tough place to come to, ever since I have been here in England. Chelsea is Chelsea, one of the best teams of the last 25 years, so to come here and not lose is a good result. It is a fair result.
"And Chelsea will be there, in future seasons they will be there. They have built for that."
City midfielder Rodri, whose deflected goal had put Guardiola's side 4-3 ahead in the 86th minute, said the game had left he and teammates "exhausted."
"We feel a bit exhausted," Rodri told Sky Sports. "This type of game, we know how hard it is to come here. The team Chelsea has built, they have great players and they sign massive players.
"The level of the Chelsea team has risen and it was not our best performance today. Individually we needed to do a bit more ourselves -- to concede four goals is not normal for us.
"We keep pushing and sometimes it is like this and you have to score at the other end. But we have to correct some mistakes.
"I think we played how they want. Quick transitions and they are a better team in that situation and they are faster and stronger we have another type of players and we try to play our game and I think we struggled."
But the fear of creating instability just as Ruben Amorim has got things back on track — and the impact on fans — suggests they will bottle the big call.Bruno Fernandes rejected a move to Saudi Arabia earlier this summerFernandes is more than just the Red Devils' captain — he is also their best player AND the glue that binds the dressing room together.No wonder so many supporters...
Pep Guardiola has reiterated that he will take a break from coaching after leaving Manchester City, admitting it could be as long as 15 years.The Spaniard, 54, is the most successful manager in City's history, having won 18 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.His contract expires in 2027 and while Guardiola has not specified when he will leave the club, he has on...
[(Hearts) Strength]: 1. Hearts are motivated to start with a win in this home game.2. Hearts won 3-0 over Sunderland A.F.C. in the last warm-up game. They also kept all wins in the previous 4 Cup games, showing decent form.3. Hearts won the last 5 home games, revealing high scoring efficiency and outstanding home performances.4. Hearts scored 19 goals and conceded one in the last 5 games, boasting...
[(Ilves Tampere) Strength]: 1. Ilves Tampere's Roope Riski just performed impressively in the first leg against AZ Alkmaar in European football. He is the main scoring point of the team.2. Ilves Tampere remained unbeaten in the last 4 home games, showing certain home strength.3. Ilves Tampere are ranked 2nd with outstanding offense.4. The AH line is -1.5 for Ilves Tampere, showing their superior s...
[(IFK Goteborg) Strength]: 1. IFK Goteborg scored 3 goals from open play in the last league game, with each goal scored by a different player, showcasing their multiple scorers on offense.[(IFK Goteborg) Neutral]: 1. IFK Goteborg had BTTS in 3 of the previous 4 games, showing a high likelihood of goals from both ends lately.2. IFK Goteborg got 2 wins and 2 losses in the previous 4 home games, reve...
Lewandowski told to quit Barcelona for Saudi moveFormer Poland goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski believes that despite Robert Lewandowski's success at Barcelona, things are not all that rosy for him at the Catalan outfit. The Polish legend added that the 36-year-old should head to the Middle East as he is not being properly utilised by his Blaugrana team-mates.Tomaszewski told Mundo Deportivo: "Robert sh...
Ex-Barcelona president: Rashford better than Nico WilliamsFormer Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has boldly stated that Marcus Rashford is a better player than Nico Williams. His comments came in response to criticism from Inaki Williams after the younger Williams turned down a move to Blaugrana and instead signed a long-term extension with Athletic Club."First of all, for me, Marcus Rashford is ...
General view of Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium Real Madrid will begin their LaLiga campaign with a home game against Osasuna as scheduled after Spain's federation (RFEF) rejected their appeal to postpone the August 19 fixture on Thursday, local media reported.Real had requested a longer rest period and pre-season after playing in the Club World Cup in the US where they lost to Paris St Ge...
DONE DEAL: Real Sociedad sign Lyon defender Caleta-CarReal Sociedad have signed Olympique Lyon defender Duje Caleta-Car.The Croatia international has joined La Real on a season-long loan with an option to buy.Lyon have announced Caleta-Car will join La Real for an initial €500,000 loan fee and can sign permanently at the end of the coming season for €4m.Caleta-Car, 28, has a deal with ...
Elfsborg celebrate Arber Zeneli's winnerElfsborg were the only team to pick up three points in Sunday's Allsvenskan matches, beating Hacken 2-1 away from home to move above Malmo and into third place. Elsewhere, Djurgarden and Halmstad played out a stalemate, as did struggling Sirius and Oster.As the only team in the top five in action this weekend, Elfsborg had the chance not only to boost their ...
- 1 Phil Parkinson breaks silence on Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's shock bid to bring ex-Man Utd star Christian Eriksen to Wrexham
- 2 TIPS - Real Salt Lake VS Atletico San Luis
- 3 Arsenal legend backs Premier League rivals to become next invincibles and take prestigious title from Gunners
- 4 Go Ahead Eagles star duo linked to Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers
- 5 Daily Laugh - Raya nair
- 6 Man Utd, Newcastle turn to Stuttgart striker Woltemade
- 7 Liverpool ready "to go big" for wantaway Newcastle striker Isak
- 8 Real Madrid Willing to Sell Rodrygo — But Only If Two Key Conditions Are Met
- 9 Man City boss Guardiola delivers definitive answer to Barcelona return question
- 10 TIPS - Karlsruher SC VS SC Preussen Munster