Football
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Manuel Pellegrini says Premier League title race not over after Man City loss

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini declined to say the title race was over despite another heavy setback to his side's chances at Burnley.

The champions crashed to a surprise 1-0 defeat to the relegation battlers at Turf Moor and remain five points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, who now have two games in hand.

"The chances for the title are now far, but we must continue fighting for our position," Pellegrini said on Sky Sports.

City have fallen away alarmingly since pulling level with the Londoners on New Year's Day and have won just three of their past nine league games.

"Every point we drop will be more difficult," Pellegrini said in his post-match press conference. "When you have mathematical chances you must try to continue fighting, but the most important thing is to trust in what we are doing, try to win the next game and we will see at the end of the season where you will finish."

George Boyd struck the only goal of the game with a sweet, low left-foot half-volley from the edge of the area just after the hour. The Scot had shot narrowly wide with a volley from distance just moments earlier.

City did muster 21 chances but only got five on target and generally lacked energy and a cutting edge.

TV pundit Jamie Redknapp said it was the type of performance that could get a manager the sack, but Pellegrini -- who is coming under increasing pressure -- refused to criticise his side.

"It was a normal performance," he said. "I don't think we played very bad. We had three or four chances. Burnley had just one shot on target and scored one goal, but we need to create more chances.

"I don't think we created the amount of chances we need to score goals."

When it was suggested the performance should not be acceptable, Pellegrini said: "I said it was a normal performance. We will try to improve and we must do it."

With the title looking a long shot, City could now face a battle to hold on to second place -- or even their spot in the top four -- with Arsenal just one point behind.

Pellegrini brushed aside those concerns and instead turned focus to Wednesday's Champions League battle at Barcelona.

The Chilean said: "We are worried just about our team. We continue in second place, so we are not doing so bad. We have 27 points more we must fight for to try to keep this position.

"From tomorrow we must trust in what we are doing and try to win on Wednesday in Barcelona."

Pellegrini revealed that James Milner missed the game to rest a knee problem but was expected to be fit to play at the Nou Camp.

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