Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas's reaction to Gary Neville's punditry following defeat of Manchester City

Pre-match

What Neville said: “Chelsea have changed their style dramatically. They were playing high, pressing up the field. That created spaces to break into and gaps were appearing for their opponents. It happened too often, but now they are playing 10 yards deeper.

“It’s meant that they have become very difficult to break down and they’ve become a tighter unit. The space is more compact. I’ve really enjoyed the way they’ve played in the last fortnight.”

AVB’s reaction: The Portuguese has not taken kindly to analysis of his infamous 'high line’ this season – a subject he believes to be oversimplified when discussed by mere mortals in the media. Neville’s sharp analysis will have piqued him, despite the warm words at the end.
Wind-up rating: 6/10

Half-time

What Neville said: “City were dominant – they couldn’t put a foot wrong in the first 25 minutes. Chelsea stayed high and they were very lucky not to go down to 10 men because Branislav Ivanovic fouled Mario Balotelli.

“City also should have had a penalty when Jose Bosingwa brought down David Silva. It was an obvious one, there was never any doubt. Chelsea were very fortunate not to go in at least 2-0 down as they were being dominated.”

AVB’s reaction: Yet another example of the media’s dastardly determination to favour light blue over dark? Not really, and besides any accusations of bias were defused by Neville pointing out that Yaya Touré was fortunate not to be sent off for kicking Juan Mata.
Wind-up rating: 5/10

Post-match

What Neville said: “The sending-off was probably the key moment – it changed the game, as they often do when big teams meet each other because the margins are so fine.

“It’s a special night for Chelsea – you can see that by the atmosphere in the ground, which sounds amazing. That they managed to turn it around from that opening spell when City were dominant was very impressive. It just shows how far endeavour and effort can get you sometimes in football.”

AVB’s reaction: Not even Chelsea’s prickly manager can have been too exercised by Neville’s warm words as he reflected on a well-earned victory for his Chelsea team. Still, there’s always next week ...
Wind-up rating: 3/10