Eriksson Pleased Despite Defeat

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was pleased with his side's performance despite their 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea this afternoon...

City fell behind early on when their skipper Richard Dunne was forced to turn the ball into his own net, and despite an admirable attempt at a fightback, Salomon Kalou ended their resistance shortly after the break with the second goal.

Chelsea dominated thereafter, but Eriksson was keen to take the positives from the performance: "I think we performed rather well. We played football and created chances, especially in the first half.

"Chelsea got the goal, which was important - although we scored it for them - but we then created two or three very good chances.

"You're never happy when you lose a football game, but I was really disappointed and unhappy a week ago when we lost without giving ourselves a chance to win the match.

"Today I think it was different because we tried all 90 minutes but after it's 2-0, it's very much uphill. It's not good to lose but if you have to lose, lose like we did today.

"If you can play football like that against a top team in the Premier League, even the world, then you know you can do things.

"There are still five games to go and the important thing now is not to give up, and try to take as many points as possible. Then we will see what's happening and see where we are in the table.

"As long as it (European qualification) is possible, we have to believe it and we have to fight for it. I hope we have the same spirit and character next week as we did today."

Injury

Defender Nedum Onuoha was stretchered off with a fairly serious looking shoulder injury and will join fellow young defender Micah Richards on the sidelines, possibly for the rest of the season.

Eriksson may look to take drastic action and recall a player currently out on loan to fill the defensive void.

"He's in hospital now and I don't have any answers but he'll probably be out for a while," conceded Sven.

"We're very short (in defence) so we'll have to see if we can take back a loan player."

Chet Winter