'We cannot' - Pep Guardiola's major Man City concern amid treble chase

Manchester City's chances of repeating their treble hang by a thread due to their ongoing injury crisis, Pep Guardiola has warned.

The manager had told his City players they would be out of the Premier League title race if they didn't beat Crystal Palace on Saturday, so will have been concerned to see his side fall behind early at Selhurst Park. However, Kevin De Bruyne scored two and added an assist as the Blues turned around the scoreline to win 4-2 and maintain the pressure on Liverpool and Arsenal.

But another injury concern, this time for Josko Gvardiol, ensured it wasn't a perfect trip to South London, and Guardiola believes the ongoing issues in the medical department are hampering City's attempts to fight on three fronts as did with such success last season.

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Guardiola admitted his side's defending was not at the usual high standards at Palace. He said:: "It's more the consequences for the fact of three days, three days. The mental energy we waste more than physically is tremendous which is why it sometimes happens. But today Kevin wins us the game."

Guardiola added: "The difference is because we have more injured players than last season. If we had Kyle and Nathan today it would be easier today and for the future," he said.

"It would give more time for John [Stones] to recover to make an incredible effort to play when maybe was not. The contribution for [Manu] Akanji was unbelievable. Mainly the reason is that, comparing to previous seasons. We want to fight but it's difficult to fight for all competitions.

"I live these things a few