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Mauricio Pochettino apologized to Pep Guardiola and referee Anthony Taylor after his full-time outburst following a pulsating clash at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea were forced to come from behind three times during the 4-4 draw as former Manchester City striker Cole Palmer scored an injury time penalty to earn a hard-fought point against his old club.
But the shock clash ended in furious fashion as Pochettino, who felt Taylor had denied his side a goal-scoring opportunity after the final whistle, stormed at the referees and had to be pulled away by his own coaching staff.
Guardiola was left waiting to shake Pochettino’s hand, but eventually returned to the tunnel without exchanging greetings with his rival manager.
Pochettino, who was punished for his part in the incident, said: “I have to apologize to Anthony and the referees and the fourth official.
“At the moment, I felt that maybe Rahim [Sterling] he can pass and go score the fifth.
“I deserve to be booked for going over the limit. It’s not a good image for me and for football, this kind of behavior.’
“I want to apologize to him [Guardiola] also because at this moment I did not see him.’
Guardiola added: “No problem. It is OK. Feelings, it happens to me sometimes. It is OK.’
Pochettino went on to praise his side for showing “character” to keep fighting against the Premier League champions and said they showed they can dominate against a top-flight side.
“We showed character, mentality,” he added. “We showed we also have the tools – against a team like City – to dominate and create chances. We are very far in the table. But now there is a different noise on the pitch and that kind of performance we can really use for the future.
“I am very proud. So happy, I think the players deserve credit because the performance tonight was amazing. We are facing a team that for me is the best team in the world.
“Of course, you always have to improve things, but it’s the process when you want to build a journey and you want to build a project from scratch.”
‘[The game] it was amazing – that’s why the Premier League is the most incredible league in the world. Everyone wants to be part of amazing games,” he added.
“It’s hard to talk about as everyone wants to say how exciting the game was. Manchester City are the best team in the world and Chelsea were brave and tried to get the three points.’
Guardiola, meanwhile, said Chelsea paid off their heavy investment and said he always expected a tough game at Stamford Bridge, admitting his side struggled at times.
What they [Chelsea] have done in the market is to do this,” he said. “They will be there this season and certainly in the coming seasons because they are made for it.
“If you expect everyone to come here and win 0-7, then you’re wrong. Do you know what Chelsea have done (to build this team)? In the past it was City, City, City that did this.
“Look what Chelsea have done to build this fantastic team? So it’s normal. I couldn’t have expected a different kind of game, but we were close and maybe we didn’t get it perfect at times – but that’s football.
“I always give credit to the opponent. They played very well. Everyone wants to beat us because you know it’s happened in the past it’s a lot.
“There is nothing for them to lose. If Chelsea lose to City, people will say it’s normal. That’s not the reality, always Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was tough – ever since I came to this country, ever since I was at Barcelona, Bayern Munich.
“Always really tough. So why not give credit to Chelsea?”