Pep Guardiola criticises Manchester City's first-half showing in Chelsea draw

In an action-packed end-to-end contest at the Etihad Stadium, the Citizens were exposed on the counter-attack by their West London counterparts on several occasions and fell behind three minutes before the break courtesy of a coolly-converted finish from former City winger Raheem Sterling.

Guardiola's side improved in the second period although they were wasteful in the final third, with Erling Haaland unable to net any of his nine attempts on goal, but their relentless pressure in the final third eventually told in the 83rd minute when Rodri rifled home a powerful 20-yard strike to salvage a point against Mauricio Pochettino's side.

Man City's 11-game winning run in all competitions has come to an end, and they have subsequently slipped to third in the Premier League table, two points behind Arsenal in second and four adrift of leaders Liverpool, albeit with one game still in hand.

Reflecting on the draw with Chelsea, Guardiola believes the result is a reminder of the extreme pressures his side must face in their quest to win a record fourth successive Premier League title.

«Well, we don't perform our level in the first half,» Guardiola told reporters as quoted by mancity.com. «When you play against teams who have composure and prestige like Chelsea you have to perform at our best for 94, 95 minutes.

»We started to play after conceding a goal. We were not at our best and it can happen in transition. When you aren't at your best you concede transitions. It happens. But after,