Branislav Ivanovic has claimed Chelsea’s five-point gap to Manchester City after only two games is of no concern, though the defender admits Manuel Pellegrini’s side dominated in Sunday’s victory over the champions.
Goals from Sergio Agüero, Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho gave City consecutive 3-0 wins following the defeat of West Bromwich Albion in their opening match.
Chelsea’s loss at the Etihad Stadium leaves José Mourinho’s team with only one point from their first two outings. Asked if the five-point deficit to City is a worry, Ivanovic said: “I don’t think so. At the moment it looks big after two games, but we just have to focus on our situation, ourselves instead and how we can improve. There is still a long way to go. Every game can be like a final and you have to be on top of your game all the time, to beat your opponent, improve yourself and get the points and I think we will start doing better.
“It was a very difficult game and disappointing result for us, but this is done now and we can’t go back. This is the Premier League, every game is like a final and we know we have to look forward. We haven’t done well in the first two games but there is another 36 to go and we know we have to improve ourselves.”
Ivanovic admits there is more pressure as Chelsea are defending the championship. “Last year we won the title, but honestly, we know this is another season now and we play with more pressure and need to adapt to that,” he said. “We have to forget last season and start thinking about getting the points we need this season.”
City’s dominance moved Mourinho to replace John Terry at half-time, the first occasion the Portuguese has done so in 177 games. Yet the ploy of bringing on Kurt Zouma for his greater pace failed to work as the goals from Kompany and Fernandinho were scored after the break.
Ivanovic admits City did not allow Chelsea to establish any dominance. “I think we tried to do everything we could and in some parts we controlled the game, but after that then maybe our concentration went down and we let them create some problems for us. They scored the goals and won the game, but for us we know what we have to do. They took their chances and scored their goals and made it a difficult game for us.
“But also I think we did enough to win this game. We have to get better for the next 36 games and for sure we won’t give up after just two bad results. Every team is improving. We can be better and have to show that on the pitch.”
