LONDON: Long considered favourites in an absorbing EPL title race, Manchester City no longer have control over their destiny and must also sweat on the fitness of Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany for the closing weeks of their campaign.
A 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, saw City fall seven points behind their hosts on Sunday and needing the Merseysiders to slip up to overhaul them.
City’s run to the League Cup title and the quarterfinals of the FA Cup means for the past few months they have trailed in the points tally but two games in hand over their title rivals has kept them regarded as favourites.
However, Sunday’s defeat means that edge has dissipated and they must hope Liverpool fail to collect maximum points in one of their remaining matches even if the 2012-13 champions win their remaining six fixtures.
The loss at Anfield came after City fought back from two goals down to draw level at 2-2 before a botched clearance by Kompany allowed Philippe Coutinho to nip in and fire home the winner.
City’s inspirational captain had suffered an injury after a collision with Micah Richards in training on Saturday but the decision to play the central defender regardless, backfired as the Belgian struggled to match Liverpool’s forward line.
Another blow to Manchester City came after just 20 minutes when talismanic midfielder Toure hobbled off with a groin injury, leading to fears the Ivorian could miss the rest of the season.
“It’s difficult for Yaya to be in the next game,” manager Manuel Pellegrini said on Sunday. “I think it will be difficult for him to finish playing this season.”
Liverpool have 77 points, two ahead of second-placed Chelsea with City a further five points adrift. (Reuters)
