Pochettino on his relationship with Pep Guardiola
Manchester City host Chelsea in the Premier League this evening hoping to continue their winning streak and keep the pressure on league leaders Liverpool.
Heading into this weekend’s fixtures, Pep Guardiola’s team are two points behind the Reds but have a game in hand that could see them leapfrog Jurgen Klopp’s side. The Premier League champions are in ominous form having won their last 11 matches across all competitions and have the added boost of a fully fit and firing Erling Haaland.
Despite trailing Liverpool in the league City are the favourites to regain their title, thanks in part to the return of Kevin De Bruyne, and a strong showing against Chelsea will cement their standing as potential champions.
Chelsea, in contrast, head to the Etihad Stadium 18 points behind their opponents, and with a tinge of pressure remaining on manager Mauricio Pochettino. A stoppage-time win over Crystal Palace tempered the disquiet around Chelsea and Pochettino will hope to turn around his team’s fortunes with a headline grabbing victory over City.
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Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea
17 mins: It’s City’s turn to counter now, but Rodri’s shot from outside the box is blocked easily, and Chelsea end up winning a free-kick. Chelsea haven’t managed to keep the ball for any extended period of time, though they’re threatening at times.
Jackson closes down Ederson and wins the ball fairly, laying it off to Conor Gallagher. The Englishman plays a lovely ball behind Ake, looking for Palmer, but City do well to clear for a corner.
Chris Wilson17 February 2024 17:51
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea
14 mins: Perhaps unsurprisingly, it looks like Chelsea have chosen to rely on counter-attacking opportunities.
It looks like De Bruyne and Alvarez are both playing in advanced central roles, though the Belgian is repeatedly popping up near the right wing too.
Chris Wilson17 February 2024 17:47
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea
12 mins: CLOSE! Gallagher wins the ball well to start a Chelsea counter, but the pass to start the counter is wasteful and Sterling has no chance.
City have the ball again, and Doku plays in Alvarez behind the Chelsea defence. His cross is straight to Erling Haaland, who uncharacteristically heads over the bar.
Chris Wilson17 February 2024 17:45
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea
9 mins: A City free-kick is cleared, but Alvarez’s deflected shot causes Petrovic a lot of trouble. He flaps at it, and luckily Alvarez’s follow-up header is straight into his hands.
Chris Wilson17 February 2024 17:42
7 mins: Chelsea’s first foray forward is the best chance so far. Palmer fizzes it into Enzo, whose first time pass sets Chelsea in behind the City defence. The ball across tries to find Jackson, but Walker clears.
Chris Wilson17 February 2024 17:40
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea
5 mins: A bit of pinball in the City half ends with Foden winning a free-kick, and City have the ball again. They work it through the middle and the ball is played into Foden, but he is tagged by two men and Chelsea win the throw.
Chris Wilson17 February 2024 17:39
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea
3 mins: Not a lot of action as we begin the game. That De Bruyne role is certainly no more defensive than he usually is, with the Belgian taking up many of his usual positions. We’ve had an easy spell of City possession so far.
Chris Wilson17 February 2024 17:37
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea
1 min: City have a chance already. Haaland collects the ball on the edge of the box, and he lays it off to Alvarez, whose shot is wide of the far post.
Chris Wilson17 February 2024 17:34
Manchester City vs Chelsea – LIVE
KICK OFF! Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea
Chelsea get us underway. Kevin De Bruyne looks to be playing alongside Rodri in a position more akin to a holding midfielder (according to the graphics anyway), so that might be what Guardiola was alluding to earlier. We’ll find out very soon.
Chris Wilson17 February 2024 17:33
Manchester City vs Chelsea – LIVE
It’s been pouring at the Etihad, with the sort of conditions that often produce a slippery, difficult-to-predict game. Though there’s a clear favourite today, November’s 4-4 draw between these two sides proved that you never know what’s coming in these big Premier League games.
With both Liverpool and Arsenal winning earlier today, Pep Guardiola will be acutely aware of how important a home win tonight could be come May.
The stadium is filling up and the teams are in the tunnel.
Chris Wilson17 February 2024 17:26
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
