Pep Guardiola offered an apology on behalf of his Manchester City players after tempers were lost at the end of their 3-1 Premier League defeat to Chelsea.
Sergio Aguero’s knee high tackle on David Luiz sparked a brawl in injury time. The striker saw red for the shocking challenge.
Players from both sides were involved in the mêlée with City’s Fernandinho also receivi9ng his marching order for pushing Cesc Febregas over an advertising hoarding and into the stand.
“It is a pity it finished like this. It was the way the referee decided. It is a pity, I apologise,” Guardiola said after the game.
Guardiola though didn’t believe there was any malice in Aguero’s challenge:
“It is a pity it finished like this. It is a pity. I apologise. Luiz went down and he touched him. It wasn’t intentional. Maybe I have to understand many things here, but referee says red card so red card.”
David Luiz was quick to forgive Aguero and the defender has dedicated the win to those affected by the Chapecoense football team tragedy this week:
“I don’t like to speak about this kind of thing. Sometimes the other players are frustrated with the result sometimes it happens. Aguero is an amazing player. He score a lot of goals and gives a lot to football.”
“I prefer not to talk about this, I prefer to give this victory for the people dying in Brazil because it was a difficult week for us, especially emotionally.”
“ I had some friends there. It was difficult to prepare the head to play this kind of game, but now I think we just need to pray for the families to try and comfort the heart.”
“It is difficult at the moment for everybody.”
It wasn't the first time the Argentinian has stuck the boot in on the Brazilian defender.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why does Aguero hate Luiz? <a href="https://t.co/dzgBzg5m5t">pic.twitter.com/dzgBzg5m5t</a></p>— Matthew Stanger (@MatthewStanger) <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewStanger/status/805055775131496449">December 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4 game ban pending for Aguero due to it being his 2nd red. Could be even longer if the FA decide to add more. <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/7obY5fzdPd">pic.twitter.com/7obY5fzdPd</a></p>— Touchline Fracas (@touchlinefracas) <a href="https://twitter.com/touchlinefracas/status/805058409955545088">December 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Chelsea boss Antonio Conte felt there was no need for the ugly end to the game:
The victory left Chelsea four points clear at the top, at the other end of the table, Sunderland got a 2-1 home win over champions Leciester - their third victory in four matches.
That has moved them up to 17th.
Christian Benteke scored twice as Crystal Palace eased some of the growing pressure on manager Alan Pardew with a 3-0 victory over Southampton
Pardew's position has come under scrutiny after the Eagles lost six consecutive top-flight matches.
Harry Kane scored twice in Tottenham's straight forward 5-0 win over strugglers Swansea.
Stoke City beat Burnley 2-0 and West Brom were 3-1 winners over Watford.
