First up, we hear from Pep, the opposition and the media after our Stamford Bridge defeat.
Our 21-match unbeaten run came to and an end with a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
Despite dominating long periods of the first-half, the Blues were undone by the hosts’ first shot on target on the stroke of half-time and a second late in the game.
It was our first loss of the season and it also means Liverpool replace the Blues as Premier League leaders.
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Despite the loss, Pep Guardiola is still ‘delighted’ with his side’s performance, stating that the clash provides a good ‘lesson’ for his squad ahead of the Champions League.
“Congratulations Chelsea for the victory. We came here for an idea. It happened. We made a very, very good first half and unfortunately conceded from the only chance they had,” Pep said after the match, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“They are so strong and in the second half the first 8-10 minutes they were better but other than that we were fantastic. It is a joy as a manager to see my players.
“After all we have done this season, and everybody wants to beat us, it takes incredible personality to play here. We didn’t defend, we stayed high, we attacked.
“We created enough chances to score one or two in the first half and unfortunately it didn’t happen but it is a good lesson because that is the Champions League. If they have one chance they will score one goal because the opponents are so good and determined.
“That is what’s going to happen in the future on the biggest stages but the way we played today was incredible. I’m so delighted.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss, Maurizio Sarri believes his side were lucky not to concede.
“I’m happy for the win because it’s difficult to win against Guardiola‘s team. I know very well they are a step ahead now,” the manager told the Daily Mail.
“In a competition of 10 months it’s very difficult to cover the gap.
“I think they are at the moment the best team in Europe. We won today, but we have to say we were a bit lucky in the first 25 minutes, because they could score.”
Although the London outfit came away with the three points, an opinion piece on BT Sport’s website states that the title race is still firmly between us and Liverpool.
“Despite this victory, it appears unlikely that the Blues can sustain a serious title challenge. They struggled to touch the ball in the opening period and rode their luck in securing an unexpected victory. Their spirit and second-half performance will provide Sarri with plenty of positives but City and Liverpool remain the standout sides.”
Finally, we finish with a WSL preview as Janine Beckie anticipates today’s visit of Birmingham could provide another classic crunch clash.
City host the Solihull outfit as the division’s second and third-placed teams lock horns, with both sides looking to stay hot on Arsenal’s tail in the title race.
Beckie, who netted four in the midweek Continental Cup victory over Sheffield United, believes her side’s squad depth is paying off and is relishing the prospect of another entertaining match-up against Birmingham, after the away fixture heralded a five-goal thriller.
“They’re two points below us,” she told ManCity.com. “They’ll have a lot of motivation coming here.
“It’s hard to play away at teams you are right underneath and it’s going to be a great game. They gave us a great game last time.
“They have talented, really good players. We have to be solid defensively, moving the ball around, playing our game. We mustn’t let them get control.
“When we control the game, we control the tempo and that’s when we have teams on their heels.
“Every team provides a different challenge and that’s good preparation.
“As competitive players, we always want competitive games and you have to put the work in to get results.”
That’s all for today’s media watch, but we will be back tomorrow with all the latest news from the back pages…
