Pellegrini feels momentum slip

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini felt his team let its momentum slip as it was pegged back by relegation battlers Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.

The reigning champions failed to cut Chelsea’s Barclays Premier League lead to one point as a 2-0 lead fell to a 2-2 draw.

Ashley Barnes struck a stunning equaliser nine minutes from time as Burnley earned deserved reward for their spirited second–half display.

With Chelsea having also drawn earlier in the afternoon, it seemed like City had squandered two points, but Pellegrini felt the 3-1 Boxing Day win at West Brom had taken its toll.

The City boss said: “Maybe winning 2-0 we thought the game was over – but until the last whistle the game is never finished.”

Burnley’s fightback was also aided by a controversial first goal. George Boyd was in an offside position when he appeared to divert a Danny Ings cross-cum-shot past Joe Hart in the 47th minute, though there was debate over whether he touched it at all.

David Silva, continuing to revel in the absence of the main strikers, struck his fourth goal in three games after 23 minutes and Fernandinho doubled the lead with a brilliant strike 10 minutes later.

But Burnley didn’t let their spirits drop and fought back to claim a valuable point.