City still eyeing EPL title despite draw with Sunderland

LONDON - Manchester City have not given up on winning the English Premier League title after their 2-2 draw with relegation-threatened Sunderland on Wednesday but they must win their remaining five games, manager Manuel Pellegrini said.

The 2012 champions needed a late Samir Nasri goal to snatch a draw with the bottom-placed Black Cats, a result that left them third in the table on 71 points after 33 games, six behind leaders Liverpool, who have played 34 matches.

Second-placed Chelsea are on 75 points from 34 games and travel to Anfield on April 27 for a clash that is likely to determine who wins the title.

"Of course, our chances are now less. Three points was very important for us... but we will continue fighting," Pellegrini told www.mcfc.com. "We have five games more in which to play. My duty is now to talk to the players and to win the last five games."

The trickiest match in the run-in for Pellegrini's side, however, looms in the form of Champions League-chasing Everton on May 3 at Goodison Park, especially after Roberto Martinez's side were upset 3-2 by Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

That result left Everton in fifth place on 66 points, one behind Arsenal for the final place in the Champions League.

"We have 12 points to play for, we are close to fourth place and we are still in a good position," insisted Everton manager Roberto Martinez after what he deemed a "hurtful" result.

"I don't think Arsenal will take maximum points from their remaining games."