Man City face two problems they can't control in Premier League title race

After peppering Djordje Petrovic's goal with 31 shots in Saturday's teatime kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, only Manchester City's players will know how they didn't extend their winning run to 12 matches.

Despite falling behind to Raheem Sterling's opener shortly before half-time, City spurned a series of great chances to draw level before eventually breaching Chelsea's rearguard with less than 10 minutes remaining. Unfortunately for Pep Guardiola, Rodri's deflected drive came too late in the day.

Having already seen Liverpool cruise past Brentford and Arsenal crush Burnley earlier in the day, City knew they had to respond with a victory of their own. A win would have seen them draw level on points with Arsenal and sit just two behind Liverpool.

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Instead, Guardiola's side are four points behind the leaders and two shy of Arsenal. City must issue a firm response when they face Brentford for the second time in three weeks on Tuesday night.

Regardless of the outcome of their clash with the Bees in midweek, City have two problems they cannot control: Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka. The former returned from a few weeks out injured just before half-time at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday lunchtime, replacing Diogo Jota, who was forced off with an injury of his own, and he wasted no time in getting back among the goals.

He netted Liverpool's third of the afternoon, just 13 minutes after providing the assist for Alexis Mac Allister to score their second. His return from a hamstring injury has handed Jurgen Klopp a significant boost at a vitally