Manuel Pellegrini dismissed suggestions that Manchester City have stopped playing for him after the Barclays Premier League champions’ title bid was left in tatters at Turf Moor.
City lost 1-0 to Burnley courtesy of George Boyd’s 61st minute half volley and although Pellegrini’s team were denied a clear cut penalty in stoppage time, their display drew severe criticism.
Jamie Redknapp, the Sky Sports pundit, branded the performance as the sort that gets managers the sack and Pellegrini’s future will be brought into even sharper focus should City crash out of the Champions League away to Barcelona on Wednesday.
Chelsea will move eight points clear of City with a game in hand should they beat Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Pellegrini admitting the odds were stacked against his side now.
“I accept opinions of all people,” the City manager said when Redknapp’s remarks were put to him.
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“Every point we drop will be more difficult. When you have mathematical chances you must continue fighting and see at the end of the season where you will finish.
“It was a normal performance and I don’t think we played very badly. We created more chances, they had one shot on target and got a beautiful goal. We didn’t create enough to score, but we were very unlucky.”
Edin Dzeko, David Silva and Yaya Toure were all substituted in the space of 19 second half minutes after poor performances. City have taken just 16 points from the past 33 available in the league.
“Of course we’re doing something wrong as we are not winning the games we normally do,” he said.
“I don’t want to focus on two or three players. We are a team, a squad of 22 players, and I’m sure they’re given the most they can. It’s important to continue trusting what they are doing. I am sure they tried to give everything.”
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Sean Dyche, the Burnley manager, paid tribute to his players and believes the victory could have a huge bearing on their fight against relegation.
Ben Mee, the left back, was fortunate not to concede a penalty late on for a foul on Pablo Zabaleta but Dyche said the result had less to do with luck than the heart his players showed.
“It was deserved, I think, we edged it,” he said.
“I’m delighted with the outcome and the performance. I have spoken for many weeks that the margins are tight. We fell on the wrong side of some at times. Today it is a day when all the details were done properly or correctly. There was no need for fortune or luck. It encapsulates all the hard work we put in.”
On the penalty appeal, Dyche said: “I haven’t seen it yet. If there is balance over a season, maybe that is it. We have had a couple recently that haven’t been given. If it is and it hasn’t been given, then it is good fortune.
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“Our will and desire to be in the Premier League is all on show. But we won’t get too carried away.
“We know there’s a long way to go, the players are grounded. We haven’t been broken from defeat - we’ve been dented a few times - but this win reinforces confidence and belief.”