Jamie
Redknapp says Chelsea's performance at Manchester City was a "crime against
football" as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat.
Champions-elect Manchester City continued their title procession, dominating
Chelsea in every department.
Antonio Conte's decision to not start a recognised striker backfired as
Chelsea, missing midfield lynchpin N'Golo Kante, failed to register a single
effort on target and enjoyed just 29 per cent possession.
Redknapp was left deflated with what he saw from the current champions, who
are now five points off fourth-placed Tottenham with nine Premier League
games remaining.
"That was anti-football, it was a crime against football what they did
today," he told Sky Sports.
"I really feel really strongly about it. I was looking forward to watching
this game today. I understand not playing with a striker and being difficult
to beat, but you must have some intent. They've got good players - it was
like they didn't want to go forward at all.
"Manchester City didn't even have to be that good, Chelsea didn't really
want to play. The manager must have put it in their minds to sit back. They
are better than that. Although Pep Guardiola was celebrating - he must have
thought that was a waste of time.
"Chelsea should have given them the three points before the game started."
The result leaves Guardiola needing just four more victories to dethrone
Chelsea and claim a maiden title in English football.
They have lost just one game this season in the Premier League, which came
at Liverpool, and Redknapp was dumbfounded that Chelsea didn't follow Jurgen
Klopp's blueprint.
"City have lost one game this season against Liverpool, who played with
energy, they got after them, they pressed them high and won the ball in the
final third," he said.
"Don't tell me the front three of Chelsea isn't as good as Liverpool's?
There's not too much to choose between the two.
"The Chelsea front three will be thinking 'I'm better than that' - players
will then start talking about the tactics. Why didn't Chelsea try and follow
Liverpool's template rather than sitting back?"
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