Man City boss Guardiola defends Aguero

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola defended Sergio Aguero after the striker’s red card at the end of his side’s 3-1 defeat against leaders Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

Aguero was sent off for a nasty lunge on David Luiz in injury time and Fernandinho was also dismissed in the ugly melee that followed for an altercation with Cesc Fabregas.

Guardiola said: “I don’t think it [Aguero’s challenge] was intentional. But it’s a red card and we will accept that.

“It’s a pity the match finished like this. I don’t like that and I apologise. We will accept the ban and keep going.

“We didn’t win because we didn’t score enough of our chances, not because of the referee.

“But I congratulate my team. I am proud of how we played. We created lots of chances.”

Guardiola admitted that his side paid the price for missing several chances to score before Chelsea’s second-half comeback.

“This is a problem we have had all season. It is difficult for us to score goals and we concede them very easily,” he said.