Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola disagrees with the belief that his side needs to be 10 points clear of Premier League title rivals Liverpool.
City were at one stage this season 12 points clear at the summit and the title race was threatening to become something of a precession for the current holders. Now, just a single point separates the Reds and Guardiola's side.
Since the beginning of February, City have lost away to Tottenham Hotspur and their last league game ended in a shock 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace. Liverpool have dropped points on just one occasion this calendar year and their relentless form has forced them back into the conversation for this season's title.
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Guardiola, though, disagrees with the reaction to the result at Selhurst Park and 'doesn't buy' the expectation they need to be so many points clear.
“Dropping points at Crystal Palace can happen,” he said. “People believe we are Manchester City, we have to be 10 points in front of Liverpool? Ok, it's your message I don't buy it.
“How you. behave and play at Crystal Palace and Southampton counts. If we lose, that's football. It's football. You have to try an explanation for something there is not an explanation for.
"When Atletico played United, the first action from (Anthony) Elanga and it hit the keeper in the head. If it is here [not his head] it is a goal and it is another game. Maybe United go through.
“We find as a manager you [have to] try and find an explanation for that. It is little details. How you behave, how you play, how you try is what counts in the long-term.”
