Pep Guardiola dismisses Manchester City’s title chances: ‘The gap with Chelsea is massive’

Pep Guardiola said he was "happy" for Sergio Aguero after the Argentine striker came off the bench to play a key role in Manchester City's second goal against Bournemouth on Monday night. Peter NicholShow more

Pep Guardiola has dismissed Manchester City’s Premier League title chances, saying “the gap is massive” between them and leaders Chelsea.

City climbed to second in the Premier League table with a 2-0 victory at Bournemouth on Monday night. Raheem Sterling scored in the first half before an own goal by Tyrone Mings secured the three points for Guardiola’s side.

City now hold a two point lead over third-placed Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in fourth, but trail Chelsea by eight points with 13 games of the season remaining.

“It’s so difficult because they have to lose three games and you have to win all the games and you know how difficult it is to win all the games in the Premier League,” Guardiola said.

“Now before the game we were sixth and after the game we are second.

“That means the gap in those teams is nothing. But to Chelsea, still the gap is massive. Eight points is such a lot.”

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Guardiola reserved special praise for German winger Leroy Sane, who provided the assist for Sterling’s goal during an impressive display at the Vitality Stadium.

“Since the game against Arsenal, I think he (Sane) made a click,” the Spaniard said. “He’s so fast, his intensity helped us a lot and 20 years old so, I’m so happy for Manchester City because we will have a good player for many years.”

City’s successful evening in Bournemouth was soured slightly by the early withdrawal of Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazilian striker suffering a foot injury after 14 minutes. Jesus has made a blistering start to life at City since formalising his move last month, scoring three goals in three league games prior to Monday night.

“Tomorrow morning we’ll know it,” Guardiola said on the extent of Jesus’s injury. The Brazilian’s injury forced the early introduction of Sergio Aguero, who has found himself among the substitutes in recent matches, and the Argentine played a key role in City’s second goal.

“I’m happy for him (Aguero). For how he played, for how he fights,” Guardiola said.

“He’s an important player but for the last three games he didn’t play because the three guys in front were amazing.”

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