Title challenge is 'gone', admits Pep

MANCHESTER City boss Pep Guardiola finally experienced home and away championship defeats to the same opposition manager last night after his side went down 2-1 at Chelsea.

Goalkeeping errors contributed to the opening goals as Eden Hazard shot through Willy Caballero and Thibaut Courtois gifted City an equaliser, scored by Sergio Aguero.

Hazard saw a penalty saved by Caballero, but tucked in the follow up to give Chelsea a 2-1 half-time lead which they would not relinquish.

Conte's Chelsea need 18 points in their remaining eight games to clinch the Premier League title.

As for the City boss - previously in charge with such distinction at Barcelona and Bayern Munich - he reckoned his side were beaten by "the details" in the penalty areas.

Guardiola, who felt City's performance was better than in Sunday's draw at Arsenal, said: "Absolutely (City were better than Chelsea). But it's not enough.

"They got six points. We got zero. Football is results. Today I'm happier than the Arsenal game when we got one point.

"We play for us. We compete against us. The opponent is there, but the performance is for ourselves.

"The way we played, I'm so satisfied. I'm a lucky guy to be here with them.

"Today the Premier League is gone and in the last eight games, we have to think to qualify for the Champions League."

While City are out of title contention, 14 points behind Chelsea, Guardiola believes Tottenham "is there".

Guardiola reckons City's season might have been different had they beaten Chelsea at home four months ago.

He added: "The game in Etihad against Chelsea was a key point in our season."