Pep Guardiola praises ‘amazing’ City reaction to going behind in Chelsea win
Pep Guardiola praises ‘amazing’ City reaction to going behind in Chelsea win
Share:
Pep Guardiola called Manchester City’s reaction to an early error from debutant Abdukodir Khusanov “amazing” as they recovered to beat Chelsea 3-1. Khusanov, the 20-year-old signed from Lens for £33.6million, was badly at fault as Noni Madueke put the visitors in front just two minutes in, and moments later the Uzbekistan international was booked in a separate incident.
But Josko Gvardiol brought City level in the 42nd minute before Erling Haaland capitalised on yet another poor error from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to put City in front, before Phil Foden wrapped up the points late on, sending City into the top four as Chelsea’s recent poor run continued.
Khusanov, who speaks limited English and has barely trained with his new team-mates, was given a baptism of fire against Chelsea and looked at risk of being swallowed up early on, with a terrible header back towards Ederson swept up by Nicolas Jackson who squared for Madueke to tap in.
Khusanov picked up a yellow card moments later after losing the ball and fouling Cole Palmer, but he eventually settled down. “He will take a lesson,” Guardiola said. “He’s so young, he’s come for many years. It’s not the best start of course, but dealing with Jackson, with Cole, with all these incredible players is not easy. And I love the reaction of his mates.
