Mauricio Pochettino made key Chelsea errors vs Man City as Tottenham problem persists

Chelsea surprised everyone with their 1-1 draw at Manchester City yesterday, courtesy of a Raheem Sterling goal and a catalogue of bad finishes from Erling Haaland. Credit to the Blues’ defending for the majority of the game too as they held steadfast and dove in for blocks and tackles throughout.

However, whilst before kick-off a point would surely have been taken, at full-time there was a sense it could have been so much more. Conor Gallagher spoke after the game about the disappointment that the team had.

«We are slightly disappointed because we were winning the game,» the Cobham graduate said. «They were, in terms of possession, dominating the game but I feel we had a lot of chances to win the game. We are disappointed to concede late but pleased with the point.»

Mauricio Pochettino has been under incredible scrutiny and you’d think a draw at the Etihad Stadium would lift it somewhat – but it shouldn’t. The Argentine’s selections and decision-making are prime candidates for questioning throughout the campaign but the latter against City was perhaps his side’s downfall.

The substitutions made ultimately led to the threat that the Blues carried gradually diminishing, opening up more dominance for the home side and the ability to send more men forwards. Christopher Nkunku replaced goalscorer Sterling and looked like he was a player who had missed most of the campaign with injury.

Noni Madueke meanwhile remained on the bench, unused and it's difficult not to think the winger’s energy and greater familiarity with his side would have, in hindsight, been the better choice. However, this pales in comparison to the other changes.

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