There's no Bright side

PEP Guardiola admitted Manchester City cannot think about catching Arsenal in the Premier League title race after their winless run extended to three matches.

Guardiola’s side wasted a chance to put pressure on Arsenal as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Erling Haaland drilled in his 150th goal for City with a penalty late in the first half, but the Norway striker was guilty of several misses, with Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki also squandering opportunities.

Hampered by injuries to several defenders, City cracked in the second half as Kaoru Mitoma’s first goal since September dealt a huge blow to their title hopes.

Second-placed City were five points behind leaders Arsenal, who could have extend the gap to eight points if they beat Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium last night.

Guardiola said when asked if City were still in the title hunt: “Of course if you don’t win games we cannot think about these things.”

“The result is the result. I’m not a person who believes what we have done isn’t fair. One point for them, one point for us. That is what it is.

“I love a lot the way we played, we did many good things, but we don't score goals. There are too many clear chances.

“It is not just one or two players, it is all the players up front who create a lot. Unfortunately we couldn't score and scoring goals is part of the job.

“That is the reason why we could not win the games.”

City next host Exeter City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday at 5pm.