Manuel Pellegrini criticised Chelsea's "small team" mentality and said they played like Stoke City during their tense 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho started the match by replacing Oscar with Ramires, who played alongside Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas to counter the City's midfield.
Soon after, the Blues' tactician introduced Mikel Obi and Andre Schurrle - with the latter netting an opener almost immediately.
But after Frank Lampard rescued a late point for the champions against his former club, the disappointed Pellegrini was critical of Chelsea's tactics
"It is not a result that I want, not what we deserved but the game was very similar to the game against Stoke," the Chilean told the BBC.
"Ten players defended their own half, they scored a counter attack and they continued to defend until the end. The result is not what both teams did during 90 minutes.
"I am happy because our team played in one way, we continued playing with 11 players, trying to score, and with one player less trying not to have another counter attack and concede a goal. I am very happy with the mentality of our team," he added in reference to Pablo Zabaleta's 66th-minute dismissal.
"It is so important to play like a big team, and not like a small team. I would not be happy to play that way. We continue with the same ambition, teams will find it hard to beat us. The team performance was very good.
Despite the criticisms, Mourinho's Chelsea seat comfortably at the top of the Premier league table.