Manchester City have the chance to cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League down to five points when they face Tottenham on Thursday night - in a fixture which pits two great managerial rivals against each other.
City are still very much in the title race, with their season only reaching its halfway point upon the conclusion of the Spurs game at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola is aiming to win his fifth Premier League title in seven seasons – but it hasn’t always gone his way.
Guardiola had plenty of work to do upon his arrival at City in the summer of 2016, and they failed to win a trophy in his first season. By April 2017, the idea of marking his first campaign with the title was fading from view. The final nail in the coffin came at Stamford Bridge, against Antonio Conte’s Chelsea.
Chelsea were riding high at the top of the Premier League on April 5, 2017, when City came to west London. Powered by Diego Costa’s goals, Eden Hazard’s creativity and N’Golo Kante’s tireless running, Conte’s side had built up a seven-point lead over Tottenham in the table.
The Blues had come from behind to win the reverse fixture 3-1 at the Etihad and had the chance to inflict back-to-back league defeats in the same season on Guardiola for the first time in his entire management career.
Conte’s side made the perfect start when Hazard beat Willy Caballero with a shot that deflected in via Vincent Kompany. The away side responded when Thibaut Courtois’ mistake allowed Sergio Aguero a simple equaliser, but the good times weren’t to last.
Chelsea were awarded a penalty when Fernandinho tripped Pedro and, even though Caballero saved Hazard's spot kick, the rebound went straight back to him and he scored. Kompany struck the bar and John Stones fired over from close range, but City couldn’t find another equaliser.
Throughout the game, Guardiola was a constant source of anxious energy and frustration. He spent most of the game moving around his technical area and speaking to fourth official Bobby Madley.
Guardiola and Conte were constantly bickering on the touchline and things boiled over after the final whistle.
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With Conte already in the dressing room with his victorious side, a row broke out in the tunnel. Stewards were required to split up members of each team’s coaching staff, who were ranting and raving.
Chelsea’s fitness coach, Paolo Bertelli, had a heated exchange with the City’s masseur, Mark Sertori, and tempers flared. Guardiola ended up bolting back down the tunnel to join in the row, which turned into a “huge commotion”. City’s staff then refused to enter the away dressing room until Bertelli was ushered past by stewards.
Conte later paid tribute to Guardiola and his opponents – and gave a nod to the intensity of the occasion. "My look is tired because I feel like I played it tonight with my players. I suffered with them,” the Italian told the BBC.
"But we must be pleased because we beat a strong team, the best team in the league. I think they have a great coach, the best in the world. To win this type of game at this time of the season is great."
Bertelli left Chelsea in June 2019 and, after working for Sampdoria and Juventus, is now with Turkish side Karagumruk. Sertori, however, is still with City, so knows better than most the history between Guardiola and Conte ahead of Thursday night's showdown.
