Pep Guardiola waves away claims Man City were the masters of their own downfall against Chelsea as he insists Blues' staggering £1bn spending spree means they should be among the Premier League's top sides

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Manchester City were forced to settle for a draw at Chelsea after late drama
Cole Palmer coolly stepped up to slot home a penalty against his former club
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By Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail

Published: 21:23 GMT, 12 November 2023 | Updated: 21:47 GMT, 12 November 2023

Pep Guardiola poured scorn on claims Manchester City were the makers of their own downfall at Stamford Bridge, insisting Chelsea's £1billion spend means they should be among the Premier League's top contenders.

Treble holders City relinquished the lead three times at Mauricio Pochettino's team - Cole Palmer eventually scoring an injury time penalty to secure a point against the club he left in the summer.

But when asked whether rival teams believe City are more vulnerable this season, Guardiola said: 'What they [Chelsea] have done in the market is to do this. They will be there this season and for sure in future seasons because they are built for that.

'If you expect everyone to come here and win 0-7 then you are wrong. Do you know what Chelsea have done (to build this team)? In the past it was City, City, City who have done that.

'Look at what Chelsea have done to create that fantastic team? So it's normal. I couldn't have expected a different type of game, but we were close and maybe we didn't manage perfectly in some moments - but it's football.

Pep Guardiola poured scorn on claims Manchester City were the masters of their own downfall

The champions were pegged back by Chelsea in stoppage time and made to settle for a point

Cole Palmer, who progressed through the ranks at City, scored a dramatic, last-gasp penalty

'Always I give credit to the opponent. They played really good. Everyone wants to beat us because you know what happened in the past is a lot.

'There's nothing to lose for them. If Chelsea lose against City people will say it's normal. That isn't the reality, always Chelsea at Stamford Bridge has been tough - since I came in this country, since I was in Barcelona, in Bayern Munich.

'Always really tough. So why not give credit to Chelsea?'

Meanwhile, Pochettino paid credit to his team's mentality after their trio of comebacks, saying: 'We showed the character, showed that we have also tools against a team like Manchester City to go for the goal and to dominate and to have the capacity to create chances. I think it's really important today.

'From Monday, maybe it's the point to start building our confidence and to believe in the way we are working. Now it's about to translate how we will compete in the future.

Mauricio Pochettino paid credit to his team's mentality after their trio of comebacks

Pochettino also commented on VAR intervening to award City a controversial first-half penalty

'I'm very proud. So happy, I think the players deserve full credit because the performance this evening was amazing. We face a team that for me is the best team in the world.

'Of course, always things to improve but it's the process when you want to build a journey and want to build a project from zero.'

City were handed a controversial penalty, checked by VAR, in the first-half when Marc Cucurella was adjudged to have impeded Erling Haaland - who dispatched the spot-kick to give City the lead.

Pochettino added: 'It was the opinion of the VAR, as I have said before against Tottenham or when various coaches were complaining, and that is the opinion of somebody who is sitting in a room with cameras. I don't know what I can tell you.

'Sometimes it is for you, sometimes it is against you.'