'It means nothing' - Cesc Fabregas downplays Chelsea's six point deficit to Manchester City

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James Benge3 October 2017

Cesc Fabregas has downplayed the importance of Chelsea’s loss to Manchester City, which he says “doesn’t mean anything”.

The champions find themselves six points off Premier League leaders Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s side claimed a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Antonio Conte’s side overcame an even greater gap a year ago to romp to the title and Fabregas warned that they were capable of doing the same again.

He said on the club website: “This was without a doubt the same Chelsea of last season, but what happened was that we came up against a City side who went into the game much better rested than we did. Nothing more.

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“This time last year we were eight points behind, but it doesn't mean anything. There is still a long way to go in all competitions.”

In the build-up to Saturday’s game Conte had bemoaned a fixture list that saw Chelsea host City only three days after their crucial Champions League win at Atletico Madrid.

“The truth is we knew it would be a difficult week, starting with the trip to Stoke last Saturday which as we know is always a complicated task,” Fabregas added.

“Then there was the trip to Atletico Madrid, arriving back early the next morning at 5am on Thursday, with practically only one day to prepare for the match.

“We faced a City team who came well prepared. They had home games and one extra day of rest. We are making no excuses but it was a difficult week and we have competed. We gave it everything and could not have done anything more.”