Phil Foden says Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge is over after they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Tuesday.
Foden was on hand to net a second-half brace to put his side in the ascendancy before goals from Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard in the final eight minutes salvaged a late point for Thomas Frank’s men.
Sixth-placed City, having won four consecutive league titles, sit 12 points off leaders Liverpool and Foden is now concentrating on making the top four.
“The title? Yeah, yeah, it’s done for sure, it’s done,” England international Foden told reporters.
“We know. We’re not stupid. So we’ve got to aim for top four, that’s the next target now and then obviously Champions League as well. So it’s not as if the season has gone.
“But we’ve got to be realistic, haven’t we? The performances have not been good enough to get up there.
“The top four is our aim now and then see where we can be in the other trophies. We can’t dwell on it. We’ve got to try and aim for the top four now and make things right.”
The late draw saw City fail to build on back-to-back wins, leaving them two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea who drew with Bournemouth.
Foden knows City need to learn from their slump in form.
“Like you said, I’ve not been in this situation before where I’ve lost this many games and been in this situation,” he added.
“So it’s a learning curve and it’s just about how you get back to your best, not just me, but the team as well. And how we come back from this.”
Ronnie Kelly had a goal chalked off as Pickering dominated the opening half-hour, but they were ultimately made to pay for not taking their chances.
The top stories and transfer rumours from Monday's newspapers...DAILY MIRROR Ruben Amorim has 'approved' the transfer of a player
Eddie told BBC Three Counties Radio: "I just despair with this team, a non-league team could beat us. The club should hang their heads in shame, I can never rem
Everyone Active's Sporting Champions scheme is relaunching this month for the ninth consecutive year, offering up-and-coming athletes the chance to elevate