Pep Guardiola makes Erling Haaland prediction as Man City dealt title blow by Chelsea

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has backed Erling Haaland after he missed several opportunities in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

Despite the normally prolific Haaland missing a few clear chances at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, including a free header from close range, Guardiola refused to blame him. The game saw City needing an equaliser from Rodri in the 83rd minute after their former player Raheem Sterling had given Chelsea the lead.

Speaking after the game, Guardiola said: “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. What stats! One goal a season. 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.”

Haaland seemed frustrated at the end of the match and even pushed away a TV camera. This comes after a tough week for the Norway international following the passing of his grandmother.

The draw leaves City four points behind leaders Liverpool, while Arsenal are in second and two points ahead of Guardiola's side. Chelsea, meanwhile, are 10th.

Despite dominating the second half against the Blues, Guardiola felt that their poor performance in the first half cost them. The Spaniard said: “As a team and a group, the first half was not like we are.

What Pep Guardiola did after Raheem Sterling Chelsea goal vs Man City as Axel Disasi responds

Chelsea next five fixtures compared to Man United, Newcastle and Brighton after Man City draw

“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.

“We had to improve the first half and the