The Premier League season has just kicked off and there is already a war of words brewing between reigning champions Manchester City and Chelsea.
City coach Manuel Pellegrini and his Blues counterpart, Jose Mourinho have been throwing barbs at each other through the press following the stalemate between the two sides in this weekend's eagerly anticipated encounter.
The South American had slammed Mourinho's side for their "small team" play, namely accusing the Premier League heavyweights for parking the bus at the Etihad.
"They tried to keep 10 players behind the ball, like a smaller team," he sniped following the draw.
"We wanted to win from the beginning. After [Zabaleta's dismissal], we had [to play with] 10 players so I am satisfied with the performance...[and] we showed character against a big team that came here just to defend."
Pellegrini was left less than impressed with Mourinho's tactics during the stalemate
However, he didn't stop there and went on to up the ante by leveling an explosive claim at Chelsea's doorstep.
Lampard departed the Blues after 13 years for newly created MLS outfit New York City FC, but has returned to the Premier League with City on a short-term loan.
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Given the fact that he has scored over 200 goals for the club, an impressive feat given his position as a midfielder and has been a symbol of the London-based side for so long, the move did not go down well with legions of supporters.
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And Pellegrini blasted Chelsea for allowing the iconic star to leave, claiming that they forced him out.
"Chelsea didn’t want Frank Lampard, otherwise [he] would [still] be playing for them," he noted during the post-match press conference.
"[In any case], I told him to go and score [and] I was so sure [that] he would play well against Chelsea because he is a very good professional.
"I am very happy for him. He has experience and he has [a lot of] quality."
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