Manuel Pellegrini didn't like the tactics employed by José Mourinho during Sunday's 1-1 draw between Manchester City and Chelsea.

“We played during 90 minutes against a small team trying to defend, trying to keep 10 players in front of their goal and [against] a team that wanted to win from the beginning," said Pellegrini.

“It was very similar to the Stoke team, with a big team playing against a small team with very good players, trying to defend, trying to keep the score [nil-nil]. They had nine players in front of their box. I said last week that it will be very difficult for us to defend the title because every team will play the way Chelsea did. I repeat that I think they had no intention to win the game. They came just to draw and they scored on the counterattack against 10 players.”

Pablo Zabaleta was sent off midway through the second half for City.

Pellegrini said it was a match he could not enjoy. “No pleasure. It was not a pleasure to draw. Losing with one man less, we continued attacking and they continued defending. We understand what is football. We try for the game, for the people. I cannot be happy with a draw today because, I repeat, it was totally different between the two teams. Trying to play as a big team … that, for me, is the most important thing.”

Mourinho used a name for Pellegrini that he first brought out when their relationship started to deteriorate as rival managers in Spain. “Pellegrino? Many times he says he never speaks about me and my team but he keeps doing the same thing. I am the one that does as he says [not talk about the opposition]. I don’t comment on his words. Don’t ask me about his words, I am not interested in that.”