Pochettino ‘very proud’ after dramatic draw
Mauricio Pochettino believes Chelsea’s performance against Manchester City bodes well for the future after his side fought back for a dramatic 4-4 draw.
Chelsea ended a run of six successive defeats by City thanks to Cole Palmer being able to keep his nerve and convert a stoppage-time penalty against his former club in a breathless encounter played out in driving rain at Stamford Bridge.
“I am very proud and so happy,” Blues boss Pochettino said.
“I think the players deserve some credit because the performance was amazing.
“We played against the team that is the best in the world and many circumstances during the game made me very proud and the way we managed the game was very good.
“Of course we need to improve but it is a process because when you start from zero this type of experience is really good for our team in the future.
“This is a young team and there is pressure to win being Chelsea, and that is not eas,y but I think this type of performance can give them the belief and the confidence to go forward.
“We have good ideas about how we approach the game, the belief and the mentality, we are a coaching staff with the experience that can develop these players.
“We wanted to win and everyone is so proud to see a game like this as it proves why the Premier League is the best it the world.
“We showed character, mentality and the tools to take on a team like Manchester City and go for the goal and dominate and have the capacity to create chances.
“It is now about translating that so we can compete in the future.”
Mauricio Pochettino apologised to referee Anthony Taylor and Pep Guardiola after he reacted with fury at the final whistle.
Pochettino was booked after approaching Taylor after the game when the referee blew the final whistle as Raheem Sterling was set to break through on goal, but the Argentine said his reaction merited yellow card.
“I need to apologise to Anthony and the fourth official because at that moment I felt maybe Raheem could have gone through to score and he blew the whistle,” he said.
“I said to him ‘why stop in this moment?’ But I deserved to be booked because I crossed the limit and I want to apologise for me and to football for this type of behaviour.”
Pochettino also failed to shake hands with City boss Guardiola but insisted it was unintentional.
“I want to apologise as well to Pep because at that moment I was only focused on what happened,” Pochettino said.
Guardiola said he took no offence to Pochettino leaving him waiting for a handshake.
“It’s not a problem, I have done it myself, me and Pochettino have no problems between us.”
