PEP GUARDIOLA says Manchester City’s title hopes are over after they were thrashed at Everton.
City are ten points behind leaders Chelsea in the wake of their worst domestic defeat since May 2008.
And asked if the gap was too big even with four months still to go, Etihad chief Guardiola admitted: “Yeah.
“It is a ten-point lead — and that is a lot — but second place is three points difference, so we have to see.
“I spoke with the players for the last three weeks and told them to forget about the Premier League table.
“We just focus on the next game and try to do our best.
“After that, at the end of the season, we’ll analyse how our level was, our performances — the coach and the players.”
Spaniard Guardiola, 45, arrived in Manchester with probably the greatest managerial CV in world football.
But the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager admits that counts for nothing now.
He said: “I had eight years as a coach and won seven titles.
“That is an exceptional situation. That is not a good argument for our people now and I have to look forward for the best solution for our players to win again.”
City dominated the first half at Goodison Park but conceded from Everton’s first shot on target — again — then folded badly after the break.
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But Guardiola said: “No, no, it is not a mental problem. For the players, it is not that it doesn’t matter.
“It is tough and mentally they suffer but, as I have said many times, it will make them stronger in the future.
“Maybe not this season, but maybe in their careers in the future.”
Goals from Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas, Tom Davies and debutant Ademola Lookman had Toffees manager Ronald Koeman purring.
The Dutchman has now taken four points off his close pal Guardiola this season. And he smiled: “It was a perfect afternoon.
“It might have been impossible to play at a higher level in every aspect of football.
“Pep knows it is a project at City. Of course maybe they expected better results but he has the experience to turn it around.”
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