In doing so, Manuel Pellegrini’s men answered the criticism they faced for losing their 100% home Premier League record at the hands of the Londoners a fortnight ago.
Depriving Jose Mourinho’s side of a single shot on target, City recorded a convincing 2-0 win to end a run of two games without a goal - however, the City boss refused to take any credit for the win and ruled out vengeance as the motivation for his team’s dominant performance.
“It wasn’t revenge that drove us - of course we don’t want to lose two games to Chelsea at home,” the Chilean declared.
“Today we played very well in all senses. Defending, in possession, attacking – Chelsea didn’t have any chances to shoot and that was important to us.
“It was also important not to play against Sunderland on Wednesday, we have had so many games recently.
...Manuel Pellegrini...
“That’s why we had a little down in our performances against Norwich and Chelsea but from what I saw in training on Friday, I was absolutely sure that we would play a very good game tonight and we did.
“It’s so easy for me to talk about tactics because we won – I don’t think we had any tactical problems against Chelsea the other day - we know how they play, we know how we play.
“In the other game, we had two clear chances at the beginning, we missed and they scored. Today was not a tactical masterclass from me – I don’t believe in those things.”
Pellegrini kept his cards close to his chest when he was pressed on whether any of the players on show against Chelsea had forced their way into his thinking for the last 16 match against FC Barcelona on Tuesday night.
The Chilean asserted that all of his squad have an opportunity to play in this crucial UEFA Champions League clash.
“We have two important games – today and Tuesday, that’s why we had a mix of different players. We’ll see what we’ll do on Tuesday tomorrow,” Pellegrini said.
“Today we saw again the team that was playing before the last two games against Chelsea and Norwich.
...Manuel Pellegrini...
“It was important for us to lose three points against a very good team, with great players – so the way we won today is important for the trust of the team, to continue in the FA Cup – a very important competition to this team.
“We don’t talk about that [the quadruple] – we’ll try to fight in all of the competitions but I never talk about the quadruple.
“It’s one step more in a competition, I think for me the most important thing we did today was to beat a great team and also, I had a lot of questions after Chelsea, if we’re going to change our way of playing but I repeat: we will not change the way we play.
“Today was important to show why we continue to play in the same way.”
Pellegrini’s Chelsea counterpart had no arguments with the scoreline and admitted that the best team won on the night.
“I don’t think my team failed – I’d say City played much better than us,” Mourinho reflected.
“They deserved to win more than us – when the best teams wins, football is in peace.
“Two weeks ago, the best team won and today, the best team won. It’s simple.
...Jose Mourinho...
“Credit my team for what they did two weeks ago and today, City were the best team, they deserved to win and they won.
“We were never close to scoring or being dominant, or bringing a scare to the game.
“One team had one week without a game, one didn’t – I think that also made a difference.”
