Away-day gloom

MANUEL Pellegrini has warned that Manchester City’s travel sickness could derail their Barclays Premier League title challenge.

City lost 1-0 at Sunderland for the fourth successive season yesterday and have now taken only four points from a possible 18 on the road during the current campaign.

Pellegrini was at a loss to explain exactly how his team had come away from the Stadium of Light empty-handed after dominating for long periods, but admitted their hopes of glory could be dashed unless they can arrest the trend.

He said: “I am concerned because we are losing too many points away and, of course, that’s very difficult if you don’t win away to try to fight for the Premier League.

“But I don’t think we are playing badly, so we must have a reaction, we must improve to make sure we are going to win.”

Former United full-back Phil Bardsley’s 21st-minute strike – his second goal in five days – proved enough to claim three priceless points for the Black Cats after he shrugged off James Milner and curled a shot across ’keeper Costel Pantilimon and inside the far post.

The Romanian was once again preferred to England international Joe Hart and Pellegrini refused to be drawn on where he currently ranks his goalkeepers.

He said: “At the moment, of course, Pantilimon is playing. He hasn’t had any problems in the three games he has played.”

Pellegrini introduced Jesus Navas as a half-time substitute and later added Edin Dzeko to the mix as he sought a way back into the game.

But with Sunderland ’keeper Vito Mannone and a defence marshalled superbly by Wes Brown - starting his first league game in almost 22 months - holding firm, there was no way through.

The City manager said: “The reaction is similar to the other games that we have lost away. It’s incredible the way we lost. We had the chances and we didn’t score.”