• Premier League

Pellegrini: Chelsea are not title favourites

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has taken another swipe at Chelsea by insisting Jose Mourinho's side are not the favourites to win the Premier League.

Chelsea moved above Arsenal into top spot in the table after they defeated 3-0 Newcastle, with Arsenal suffering a 5-1 drumming at Liverpool, while City failed to break the deadlock in a goalless draw with Norwich.

And after City missed their opportunity to take first place in the league, Pellegrini believes Chelsea are not the favourites despite them being the new league-leaders.

"It is very difficult to know who are the favourites. For me, the favourites were Arsenal because, after playing 25 games, Arsenal were leading the table for most of them," Pellegrini told the Manchester Evening News.

Mourinho has played down Chelsea's title chances by saying they are a "little horse" in a two-horse race for the Premier League. However, Pellegrini hit back at Mourinho last Friday by saying Chelsea were a "little horse, but very rich."

And Pellegrini, whose perceived rivalry with Mourinho began when the latter succeeded him at Real Madrid in 2010, added: "[Then] we were the favourites though, because we had been playing very well before this week.

"Chelsea are now playing well as well, but they are not the favourites - and don't forget about Liverpool, and maybe Everton or Tottenham.

"I think five teams are going to fight for the Premier League this season. This year the Premier League will be closer than ever. We hope that we will continue fighting until the end."

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