Mauricio Pochettino "proud" after Chelsea's classic draw with Manchester City

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has talked up the performance of his Chelsea side after they recorded a 4-4 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

On a week that started with a 4-1 triumph away at London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, the Blues ended it with yet another Premier League classic, this time against the defending champions.

Chelsea found themselves trailing 1-0, 3-2 and 4-3 at various stages of the match, as well as leading 2-1 before they were pegged back just before half time.

However, in an enthralling finale, the home side earned a penalty during eight minutes of added-on time, Cole Palmer dispatching the spot kick against his former club to earn his new side a deserved share of the spoils.

The result means that Chelsea only creep into the top half of the Premier League standings heading into the November international break, trailing fifth-placed Aston Villa by nine points.

© Reuters

Nevertheless, Pochettino is delighted with the progress that Chelsea had made since his arrival in July, heaping praise on their character during a chaotic game versus opponents who he describes as "the best team in the world".

The Argentine told reporters, as quoted by football.london: "Very, very proud. I think. So happy, the players deserve credit because this performance, this evening was amazing.

"You face a team that for for me is the best team in the world and yes too many circumstances that happen during the game that make me very proud because in the way that we manage the game was was really good.

"Of course, always things to improve but it is the process when you want to build a journey, want to build a project from zero.

© Reuters

"I think this type of thing, very good to, you know, and This type of experience also games will improve our players and team a lot but now we need to use and to translate in the future."

Having won just one of their opening six Premier League games in 2023-24, Chelsea have since responded by collecting 11 points from their following six games, a period that has included matches with Arsenal, Spurs and Man City.

The high-profile fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Pochettino and his squad with Newcastle, Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United their next three encounters in the top flight.

Chelsea will also hope to have the likes of Levi Colwill - who missed the Man City game with a shoulder injury - and Christopher Nkunku available after the international break.