Sunday, 21st September, 2014



Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has dubbed Chelsea a "small team" due to their style of play, after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium today.

Pellegrini's men dominated possession, enjoying 58 per cent of the ball and registering 16 shots on goal to Chelsea's six. However, they fell behind when Andre Schurrle scored for Chelsea in the 71st minute.



But Frank Lampard, the former Chelsea midfielder, came off the bench to prod the ball home in the 85th minute and claim a share of the spoils for the Citizens.

Manchester City could even have won it when Lampard cracked a shot late on, but it was blocked by John Terry. And the way the game unfolded led Pellegrini to compare Chelsea to Stoke, who launched a smash-and-grab raid and won 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium before the international break.

 


"It is not a result that I want, not what we deserved but the game was very similar to the game against Stoke. Ten players defended their own half, they scored a counter attack and they continued to defend until the end. The result is not what both teams did during 90 minutes", Pellegrini explained to the BBC.

relatedNewsStory

"I am happy because our team played in one way, we continued playing with 11 players, trying to score, and with one player less trying not to have another counter attack and concede a goal. I am very happy with the mentality of our team.

"It is so important to play like a big team, and not like a small team. I would not be happy to play that way. We continue with the same ambition, teams will find it hard to beat us. The team performance was very good.

"I was sure that if Frank Lampard plays he will score, things like that happen in football.

"He will be a very important player for us. From the beginning he has been involved 100% in every day, I think that maybe he was not happy to score against such an important team for him. But he is very professional."

 


Don't bet on football until you've visited Inside Bet! Interesting markets, top tips, betting facts – get all the info before you bet.