Manuel Pellegrini: We must close the gap against Chelsea

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini admits his side must beat Chelsea if they are to stay in the Premier League title race, after his side suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Arsenal.

Goals from Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud saw the Gunners run out 2-0 winners at the Etihad, a result that leaves the Citizens five points behind Chelsea in the Premier League title race. Their next game in the league is a crucial top-of-the-table clash with the Blues at Stamford Bridge, and Pellegrini admitted that his side needed to come away with three points to stay in the title race.

Speaking in the post-match press conference the 61-year-old said, "I think the game that we must play at Stamford Bridge is a very important game. We must close the gap to two points".

Before then, Pellegrini will hope his City side return to winning ways in their next match, a home tie against Championship side Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup.