Breaking News: Man City will catch Chelsea despite Burnley slip up, insists Pellegrini

The Chilean admits that his side failed to step up to Burnley's pace in the second half, however rebuffed claims that the Citizens had lost ground on the league leaders


Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that his Manchester City side can catch league leaders Chelsea, despite throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Burnley.

Goals from David Silva and Fernandinho had put City ahead at the break, however the visitors' fightback saw strikes from George Boyd and Ashley Barnes pull back a valuable point.
Barnes' strike curtailed the hosts' potential 10th win in a row, but more importantly, saw Pellegrini's men fail to make ground on Chelsea, who drew 1-1 at Southampton.

However, the Chilean stated that his side were more than happy with their shape at the half-way stage of the season.

"Football has a lot of things that decide the score," he said. "Maybe we play well in the first half but after that Burnley score a clear offside goal and a second one after a rebound.
"I'm not saying that we are unfortunate, I don't say that. I say the scores in football - in just two balls can decide the score.

"I think we play very well in the first half, in the second half after they scored the goal maybe they grew and we couldn't keep the goal advantage.

"They are a brave team who are always going forward and they score a second goal.

"It's clear we couldn't keep the same intensity in the second half, it was clear because the first goal was very important for them because they grew a lot and have a lot of trust in what they do.

"In the second way, it is difficult for all teams, especially this team, to play on a heavy surface against West Brom on Boxing Day, and keep the same pace in the second half."

Pellegrini was without the injured Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko, with Vincent Kompany not risked following a hamstring problem and Yaya Toure rested.

However, the Chilean backed his side to reel in Chelsea during 2015 and dismissed claims it was a case of two points dropped for his side.

"Of course it's a chance to have two points more but we finished the first round with 43 points - a good amount," he added.

"Just because you play at home you shouldn't be sure you are going to get the points.

"I think we have all the second round [to play] and we will be the best team."