Pep Guardiola argued Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea was not a result of Erling Haaland missing a few golden chances in the match.
Haaland had nine shots on goal as City dominated the visitors at the Etihad Stadium.
The result left a sour taste for Guardiola’s men, who are now four points behind log leaders Liverpool in the title race.
The Norwegian missed City’s great opening in the second half as he headed over the bar from Kevin De Bruyne’s cross.
Haaland’s nine efforts at goal represented the highest number of shots he has had without scoring for the club.
“It’s good to have nine shots and next time he’s going to score. I was a football player for 11 years and scored 11 goals. I’m not a proper man to give advice to strikers.
“We create the chances, he had the chances and next time he’s going to score. I don’t blame him. It’s football, it’s human beings,” Guardiola noted in an interview with BBC Sport.
Former City winger Raheem Sterling was a constant menace throughout the game and was finally rewarded for his efforts as he scored Chelsea’s first goal before half-time.
Guardiola noted he was unhappy with the performance of his team who were indebted to Rodri’s 83rd minute strike.
“As a team and a group, the first half was not like we are. The demands are so high because no-one is going to give it to us, we have to do everything.
“We are Man City so we have to do it for ourselves all the time. From day one I said that. We have to improve the first half and the second half was unbelievable. In general, it was really good after we conceded from Raheem,” said Guardiola.
