Boss Unfazed by Title Race Setback, Praises Team Despite Goalless Draw at Resilient Promoted Side
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called on his players to quickly lift their spirits for Sunday’s visit of Chelsea, after a hard-fought goalless draw at Sunderland saw them lose ground in the Premier League title race.
A sanguine Guardiola insisted he was “very pleased with the performance” despite seeing his team’s eight-match winning run end and the gap to leaders Arsenal widen to four points. The City boss now faces the unpredictable task of preparing for a Chelsea side in turmoil following the sacking of his former assistant, Enzo Maresca.
“The guys are a bit head down, but we have to be heads up in three days when we have a difficult game against Chelsea,” Guardiola said after the match at a buoyant Stadium of Light.
While ruing a lack of a “finishing touch” in front of goal, Guardiola praised his team’s resilience against a physical Sunderland side that remains unbeaten at home this season. “It was a really good game,” he reflected. “Sunderland are really good, so strong. It’s a tough place to come… I’ll take the point against this team at this stadium.”
The draw also came at a potential cost, with winger Savinho forced off in the second half with an injury that Guardiola admitted did not “look good.”
Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris was understandably delighted, hailing a disciplined display from his promoted side. “It’s one more good point against one of the best teams in Europe,” he said. “We defended well and were bold enough to press high. Our standards are high.”
For Guardiola, the focus immediately shifts to regrouping his squad. With Chelsea’s managerial situation adding uncertainty to the weekend clash, City must rediscover their cutting edge to ensure their title challenge does not stall further.
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