Chelsea boss José Mourinho dismissed the title last of his team after they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace during the weekend. This coupled with Liverpool’s win at Anfield over Tottenham meant that the Reds have moved to the top of the table. Manchester City, however, failed to capitalise on the dropped points by Chelsea, as they could only draw 1-1 against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium. After managing to beat Arsenal 6-3 earlier in the campaign, City were expected to comfortably winning this match.

However, this draw means that the title still remains in the hopes of Chelsea according to Pellegrini, who has been involved in a war of words with Mourinho throughout this campaign. Pellegrini has also not dismissed Arsenal out of the title race, despite Arsene Wenger’s men slipping further behind leaders Chelsea and Liverpool. City still have tough matches against the likes of Liverpool between now and the end of the season. He has also taken a jibe at Mourinho by claiming that intelligent managers do not like to start mind games.

While Chelsea have only six matches remaining in the league calendar, City have eight matches and will be expected to cover those games in hand over the next few weeks.

“I don’t think important managers can give any importance of those mind games. I don’t know if you think managers who seem to play mind games are more intelligent, but I don’t think so. It is not my duty to analyse what Mourinho says. I repeat, I don’t know the way he thinks. My way of thinking is that the four teams have the same options to win the title. It is very close, all the other teams have six games and 18 points to play for,” said Pellegrini after the Arsenal match.