Pep Guardiola has conceded Manchester City ‘cannot’ win the Premier League title – effectively handing the crown to Arsenal – after their defeat at Manchester United.
City took the lead halfway through the second half in the 189th Manchester derby courtesy of a header from substitute Jack Grealish and looked set to temporarily close the gap to Arsenal.
But Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford scored twice in four minutes to seal a famous comeback for United and condemn City to their first Premier League defeat in two months.
It’s also City’s second consecutive defeat in four days after they were surprisingly dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Southampton on Wednesday night.
The result leaves the defending champions five points adrift of Arsenal, who could extend their lead if they beat Spurs in the North London derby tomorrow.
United, meanwhile, are only a point adrift of their local rivals in third.
Speaking at full-time, a visibly frustrated Guardiola appeared to concede his side cannot retain the league title.
‘I don’t care about the Premier League and the Carabao Cup, we cannot win,’ he said.
‘We won a lot, so it’s not a problem.’
The Spaniard was also unhappy with United’s controversial equaliser.
Fernandes fired home after Rashford stepped aside to allow his teammate through.
The ball was played in behind by Casemiro with Marcus Rashford (circled) clearly offside
With the England star not touching the ball Fernandes latched onto the pass to score
The goal was initially ruled out by the Stuart Atwell’s assistant because the England forward was in an offside position.
However, the decision was reversed after VAR ruled Rashford had no part in the goal given that he failed to touch the ball.
‘Well, Rashford is off-side, Bruno Fernandes is not,’ Guardiola said.
‘Whether Rashford intervened and distracted our keeper and our central defenders, I don’t know. The rule is the rule. ‘
SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk
