Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola praised the reaction of Abdukodir Khusanov’s team-mates to lift the young Uzbek after a nightmare introduction to the Premier League in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Chelsea.

The 20-year-old, who joined from Lens for a reported £34 million ($42 million) this week, gifted Chelsea the opening goal, scored by Noni Madueke, with a poor header after just three minutes.

Khusanov was then booked and lucky to avoid a red card for chopping down Cole Palmer before he was replaced early in the second half by John Stones.

But he was warmly embraced by Guardiola and his fellow players on the bench and supported by the City fans as he trudged off the pitch.

“I thought ‘not the best start’,” said Guardiola on his reaction to the opening minutes.