MANCHESTER CITY WASTED a chance to put pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea as the champions crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat at struggling Burnley.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side would have moved within two points of Chelsea with a victory, but instead they departed Turf Moor with their hopes of retaining the title hanging by a slender thread after a lacklustre performance was punished by George Boyd’s second half winner.
City remain five points behind Chelsea, who can extend that advantage to eight with a victory against Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
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To make matters worse for City, Jose Mourinho’s side will still have one more game in hand after facing Southampton.
The dismal defeat, their first against Burnley since 1974, was the worst possible warm-up for City’s Champions League last 16 second leg trip to Barcelona in midweek and added to the growing pressure on Pellegrini.
The third bottom Clarets took the lead in the 61st minute when Vincent Kompany’s header only reached the edge of the penalty area, where Scotland midfielder Boyd drove a fine low left-footed strike past City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
https://vine.co/v/O9VPxj9z15B
City had a strong penalty appeal turned down in stoppage-time when Pablo Zabaleta tumbled under a challenge from Ben Mee.
“It was a normal performance and I don’t think we played very badly. We created more chances, they had one shot on target and got a beautiful goal,” Pellegrini said.
“But of course we’re doing something wrong as we are not winning the games we normally do.
“When you have a mathematical chance, you have a chance to win the title. The reality is that it’s more difficult to do so now.”
George Boyd's sweet strike stuns City as champions slump to shock defeat
MANCHESTER CITY WASTED a chance to put pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea as the champions crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat at struggling Burnley.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side would have moved within two points of Chelsea with a victory, but instead they departed Turf Moor with their hopes of retaining the title hanging by a slender thread after a lacklustre performance was punished by George Boyd’s second half winner.
City remain five points behind Chelsea, who can extend that advantage to eight with a victory against Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
To make matters worse for City, Jose Mourinho’s side will still have one more game in hand after facing Southampton.
The dismal defeat, their first against Burnley since 1974, was the worst possible warm-up for City’s Champions League last 16 second leg trip to Barcelona in midweek and added to the growing pressure on Pellegrini.
The third bottom Clarets took the lead in the 61st minute when Vincent Kompany’s header only reached the edge of the penalty area, where Scotland midfielder Boyd drove a fine low left-footed strike past City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
https://vine.co/v/O9VPxj9z15B
City had a strong penalty appeal turned down in stoppage-time when Pablo Zabaleta tumbled under a challenge from Ben Mee.
“It was a normal performance and I don’t think we played very badly. We created more chances, they had one shot on target and got a beautiful goal,” Pellegrini said.
“But of course we’re doing something wrong as we are not winning the games we normally do.
“When you have a mathematical chance, you have a chance to win the title. The reality is that it’s more difficult to do so now.”
- © AFP 2015
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