Sunday 2 April 2017 19:23, UK
Man City manager Pep Guardiola says anything can still happen in the title race, but admits it will be difficult to get ahead of Chelsea.
Speaking after City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates, Guardiola said his side "forgot to play" at times, and despite Chelsea losing to Crystal Palace on Saturday, City could not capitalise and close the gap on Antonio Conte's side.
They are 11 points behind the Blues, and Guardiola says he is taking the title race game-by-game at present.
He told Sky Sports: "We want to win, but we were not able to make a perfect performance. Still there are a lot of games, nine games to play, but it's now so difficult to be in front.
"Yesterday Chelsea lost, and we were not able to win. For Arsenal it is the same. It's game-by-game.
"Anything can happen. We know what we have to do against Chelsea [on Wednesday]. We head back to Manchester to prepare and then back down to London."
Guardiola fielded a unusual starting XI at the Emirates, with Jesus Navas up against Alexis Sanchez at right-back for City, before introducing Yaya Toure at half-time for Raheem Sterling.
Navas struggled early on with Sanchez, but Guardiola was full of praise for the Spaniard's overall performance.
"Jesus Navas is one of the best in the league and I know Alexis Sanchez is not easy to deal with but I am so, so happy to have given him the chance. He pushed very hard in the second half behind Alexis.
"We played better second half than first, after the first goal we forgot to play. So we didn't win the ball.
"When Yaya Toure came on it was better, we were able to pass four or five times in a row.
"Always we try to make a game; we have to make a game. We need time to change the mentality for everybody."
Asked about a late incident which saw City appeal for a penalty against Nacho Monreal for handball, Guardiola said: "I spoke to Monreal at full-time about the penalty. He knows what I said to him."
