Sky Sports broadcast on-air apology over Man City comments made before Chelsea clash

Sky Sports broadcasted an on-air apology after comments made by Tim Sherwood about Manchester City ahead of their Premier League clash against Chelsea.

City defeated Chelsea 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium in what was a comeback victory, with goals from Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.

Pep Guardiola handed debuts to new signings Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush, who cost the club a combined fee of around £92 million.

Brazilian centre-back Vitor Reis, who joined the club from Palmeiras for a £33.5 million fee this week, was on the bench for City.

Ahead of the game, the Soccer Saturday pundits discussed City's big spending in January - a departure from their usual strategy under Guardiola but initiated due to injury issues and their mixed form in the Premier League and Champions League this season.

City's 115 charges for alleged breaches of Premier League and UEFA financial rules - for which a verdict is yet to be reached following a private hearing - was referenced by the former Tottenham manager and Premier League winner Tim Sherwood.

He commented: "They [City] seem to be the only team who can spend money, and they've got 115 [charges] over their head. I find it incredible."

After an ad break, presenter Simon Thomas immediately delivered an on-air apology to the reigning Premier League winners over Sherwood's remarks.

He stated: "Before we get underway, the whistles going around the country [to begin the 3pm kick-offs], we had a conversation earlier today in the build-up about Manchester City [and] their transfer business.

"There was a comment made about Man City and the rules. I just want to say that they are absolutely not the views of Sky Sports and we apologise to Manchester City for those comments."

City moved up to fourth with their victory over Chelsea, and are now level on points (41) with third-placed Nottingham Forest.