Metropolis closed to inside 5 factors of Arsenal on the prime of the desk as Riyad Mahrez got here off the bench to attain the one aim of the match in a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge, with Guardiola’s facet profiting from the Gunners’ goalless draw with Newcastle.It didn’t all the time look to be on the playing cards, with Metropolis struggling for a lot of the first-half and Chelsea the higher facet regardless of shedding Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic to harm within the opening minutes.Metropolis moved away from their typical form and as a substitute opted for Joao Cancelo on the correct wing and Rodri enjoying in a hybrid position, switching between centre-back and midfield all through opening interval.That didn’t work and Guardiola made two modifications on the break, bringing Cancelo and Kyle Walker off for Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis. The Metropolis boss defined the reasoning behind the beginning form after the match.READ MORE“We didn’t play good within the first-half,” Guardiola informed Sky Sports activities.“I like and mentioned thanks for his effort to Joao, enjoying not in his place. We determined to place a line-up with gamers that in the event that they determined to play 5 on the again, we’d play somewhat bit in another way.“Within the second-half we have been miles, miles higher in all departments. It’s a giant consequence for us.”Mahrez and Grealish each additionally got here off the bench and mixed for Metropolis’s aim, but it surely was Lewis that Guardiola was significantly effusive in his reward for after the match.The 18-year-old had began all three of Metropolis’s video games for the reason that World Cup earlier than dropping to the bench at Stamford Bridge, however nonetheless had a major affect on the match.“The final video games Rico has the flexibility to make his mates play higher,” Guardiola mentioned.“There are gamers that play for themselves rather well, however he has the flexibility to make all of the crew play higher.“Each second he does, he is aware of precisely what he has to do. Taking part in the extent he did towards Chelsea within the Carabao Cup and particularly Leeds and Liverpool after which once more at the moment, he modified the sport.”
Guardiola explains shock double half-time change towards Chelsea
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