Mark Bowen laughs off Manuel Pellegrini's "small team" jibe

By Paul Gorst, Reporter | 23 September 2014

Stoke City's assistant boss Mark Bowen laughs off Manuel Pellegrini's "small team" jibe that was aimed at Chelsea after their 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Stoke City assistant manager Mark Bowen has laughed off Manuel Pellegrini's attempts criticise Chelsea by likening them to the Potters.

The Manchester City manager claimed that the Blues played in the manner of a "small team like Stoke" in Sunday's 1-1 draw at the Etihad.

Pellegrini was far from pleased with Jose Mourinho's tactical approach and compared his opponents to the Potters in an unflattering manner, but Bowen said that manager Mark Hughes didn't take offence.

Bowen told reporters: "It's nice to be called a 'small team' because we've been called giants over the last few years.

"I do have a wry smile, because perhaps we are a small club compared to Manchester City, and all the millions that they spend.

"I spoke to Mark about it this morning and he took it as a compliment. If Jose Mourinho went in with the same tactics as us then we can't be doing a lot wrong. We'll take in the right way."

Stoke beat City 1-0 at the Etihad last month.