Pep Guardiola has insisted that Erling Haaland was not to blame for Manchester City losing points against Chelsea despite taking nine shots without scoring.
City and Chelsea drew 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to fall behind Liverpool and Arsenal, who won earlier in the day, in the race for the Premier League title.
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Haaland scored nine of City's 31 shots and wasted a golden opportunity in the second half when his header from Kevin De Bruyne's cross flew over the bar. It was the most shots Haaland has made without scoring in any game for Manchester City.
“It's good to have nine shots and next time he'll score,” Guardiola said. “I was a footballer for 11 years and scored 11 goals. I am not the right man to give advice to forwards.
“We created the opportunities, he had the opportunities and next time he will score. I don't blame him. It's football, they are human beings.”
Guardiola was not happy with City's performance in the first half against Chelsea, who took the lead just before the break thanks to Raheem Sterling.
Éderson made a crucial save from Sterling in the second half before Rodri scored a late equalizer to maintain City's unbeaten home record, which dates back to November 2022.
“As a team and as a group, the first half was not our way,” Guardiola said.
“The demands are very high because no one is going to give it to us, we have to do everything.
“We are Manchester City, so we have to do it by ourselves all the time. From the first day I said that. We have to improve the first half and the second half was incredible. Overall, it was really good after we conceded Raheem .”
Chelsea, meanwhile, could have walked away with more than a point had they taken more chances while on top, but afterward manager Mauricio Pochettino was happy with one of the best performances of his time in charge.
“Very happy,” he said.
“The effort was enormous and the spirit is the way we want to compete with the talent we have. I believe that one day we will reach the levels we expect. Playing against the best team in the world is never easy and today the character and personality made me very happy.”
