Man City boss Pep Guardiola left shocked after Chelsea win - 'I didn't expect it'

Man City news Pep Guardiola Chelsea

Man City news: Pep Guardiola was delighted after guiding his side to victory over Chelsea on Sunday

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 18/08/2024

- 18:57

Updated: 18/08/2024

- 19:04

The defending champions have got their Premier League campaign off to a winning start

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has reacted after his side's 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with the Spaniard saying he 'didn't expect' the performance from his side.

The defending Premier League champions went ahead in the 18th minute, with Erling Haaland beating Robert Sanchez after a brilliant pass from Bernardo Silva.


City had to be patient, with Chelsea defending well, but made the result safe late on following a curling effort from Mateo Kovacic.

Guardiola has now spoken after the result in west London.

Man City news Pep Guardiola Chelsea

Man City news: Pep Guardiola was delighted after guiding his side to victory over Chelsea on Sunday

REUTERS

And the City boss admitted he was shocked by how well his team performed, saying: "I didn't expect it.

"We are away from our best so three points is the good news. The bad news is we have 65 games ahead of us.

"We have an advantage, it's our ninth season together so we know each other well.

"Of course there are mistakes you have to improve but we talked, the difference in being champions was our body language, how did we behave?

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"It's the bad moments in the season and in the games that define the big teams.

"For me, it is an honour to be in charge of these guys. I'm so fortunate, I could not say more.

"There is a plan, defensive, offensive. But afterwards it's how we celebrate the good moments and come back from the bad moments.

"That's what defines these teams and no one talks about it. For a while we could never win at Stamford Bridge. This is a big step."

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City hitman Haaland also opened up after the result.

And the Norway international admitted he was in a good mood, saying: "Three points, a perfect start.

"First games are always hard, for everyone, it doesn't matter if you had a pre-season or not.

"I had a long pre-season but I don't feel perfect, I'm not in the perfect state. It's good to get that win.

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Man City news Erling Haaland Chelsea

Man City news: Erling Haaland put the defending champions 1-0 up against Chelsea on Sunday

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"I knew exactly what to do, I think it was a really good goal.

"I remember last year he made a really good save against me, it had been irritating me for a long time, so yeah, it was a perfect goal.

"The best players are the best on the easiest things. Touching it with your right and passing with your left.

Man City news Mateo Kovacic Chelsea

Man City news: Mateo Kovacic scored on his return to Chelsea as the defending Premier League champions laid down a marker

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"That's the important thing. Pep [Guardiola] says this to me all the time.

"I want to get more involved, that's what Pep wants. But in games like this, do I need to be that more involved? That's the million-dollar question.

"I want to get more assists and become a better player."

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