Pellegrini: Title Race Not Over Yet

Manuel Pellegrini has refused to write off his Manchester City side’s title chances, despite their 2-1 defeat at Liverpool.

City sit five points behind league leaders Chelsea in the race for the championship, with the London club also holding a game in hand.

But Pellegrini, who led City to the title last term, says his side aren’t throwing in the towel yet.

“It is three points less with one game less” explained the former Real Madrid and Malaga coach.
“Of course it is difficult to reach the top of table if you lose three points. But we must keep going and try to return to our normal performance and see where it takes us.”

Pellegrini saw his side succumb to a loss at Anfield for the second year running after a stunning second-half strike from Philippe Coutinho.

Edin Dzeko had earlier cancelled out Jordan Henderson’s excellent opener and Pellegrini reckoned that the only difference between the side were the two “beautiful” goals.

“It was a close game but Liverpool won because they scored two beautiful goals.
“But in the first half we lost too many balls, especially in the first 15 minutes.

“After that we equalised and then hit the post through Aguero.”

And Pellegrini, who came under fire in midweek for starting with two strikers against Barcelona – doing so again today – refused to blame his tactics for the defeat at Anfield.

“Playing two up front at Anfield was the best decision,” declared the Chilean.

“It was a close game and they won the game when we had one striker on. I’m concerned that we are losing the ball too much – pressure is a factor.

“There is much we must analyse to improve.”