Give credit to Chelsea — Pep Guardiola says Blues £1b spending has made them EPL top contenders

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists Chelsea's performance against his team was to be expected given the scale of investment that has gone into their transfer dealings.

Guardiola’s team were heavy favourites going into the match but faced a gutsy Chelsea side, who held them to a 4-4 draw. 

The Spaniard gave credit to Chelsea for their performance against his team but made sure to establish that the West London team should be playing on an equal footing with his team because of their heavy investment.

“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,” he said, per the Daily Mail.

“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.

“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, after the euphoria of the intense ‘game of the season’, waned and a moment of reflection, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has come out to apologise to the match officials on the day for his post-game bust-up.