A clearly deflated Manuel Pellegrini has spoken to The Manchester Evening News after last nights disappointing draw at home to Sunderland who are bottom of the Premier League. City failed to build on an early lead and it was only a late strike from Samir Nasri that gave them a point. Despite trailing Liverpool by six points, the former Real Madrid boss believes City can snatch the title if they show the same spirit they produced when they won it in 2012 after Sergio Aguero scored a late winner in the last game of the season against Queens Park Rangers.

The Chilean admitted that hopes of breaching the gap have now faded but added that he was not yet ready to accept defeat.

He added: “Maybe at this moment Liverpool and Chelsea has a better chance than our team because we are in third position.

“We didn't but we still continue fighting to the last game.”

Pellegrini was quick to point to the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool when asked why his team had struggled against inferior opposition.

“I don't think we had less confidence but I think we couldn't take out of our minds the game against Liverpool. That was why we didn't play well today. We needed more intensity, maybe our mind was not in the moment.”

Pellegrini also revealved that he had concerns before kick-off. “Before this match I was very worried,” he said. “To play against a relegation-threatened team because they fight for every ball.”

“At the end of the season we will analyse,” he said. “We continue to have a chance. Less of a chance but we continue.”

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