Both things can be true. Chrome was generally faster [1], and also some of Google's growth tactics were shady [2].
[1] https://www.pcworld.com/article/528214/browser_speed_compari...
[2] https://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2009/03/google-chrome-bund...
Advertising a browser is now "shady"?
And yes, both things can be true which is why lying about one of them is wrong.
who lied about what?