Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City must keep up title challenge to ensure Champions League qualification

Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City must keep their title challenge alive or risk missing out on a top-four Premier League finish.

Guardiola’s hopes of challenging Liverpool suffered a major hit at Molineux and he has admitted that focusing solely on the Champions League could have a damaging effect on their domestic campaign.

Bernardo Silva, the winger, conceded their hopes of catching Liverpool are now “very difficult” and Guardiola’s fifth defeat of the season is the club’s worst run since his first campaign in 2016/17.

City remain 14 points behind leaders Liverpool with Wolves’s dramatic victory lifting them into fifth place and within sight of the defending champions.

And while Guardiola is refusing to admit the title race is over, he has suggested that he has serious concerns over missing out on Champions League football next season.

When asked if he should now be considering prioritising Europe, he said: “We cannot prioritise cup competitions because if so, next season we will not be in Europe. I never prioritise competitions. We'll see how the players feel.

“We are used to being at the top far away. We have to adjust mentally to the situation and prepare for the next games.

“I said many times it's unrealistic to think [about catching Liverpool?] We have to think about Leicester. We have a chance to recover second position. We are third. That is the situation.

"It is [a] big [lead] for a long time. It is not realistic to think about the title race. I have been asked the question for a long time and it is the same answer."

City had appeared in control after two goals from Raheem Sterling but suffered a dramatic late collapse with Wolves securing the winner in the 89th minute through Matt Doherty.

Ederson, the City goalkeeper, was also sent off in the 12th minute on a farcical night for the champions, with Silva offering a bleak assessment of their title hopes.

"It is a really bad situation for us. It has been a frustrating first half of the season. Nobody expected us to be this far away from Liverpool at this halfway point,” he said.

“We have to continue now. We know that winning the title is very complicated. I wouldn't say impossible but very difficult."

Wolves have now completed the double over Guardiola, with the City manager insisting the west Midlands club are realistic challengers for a Champions League place.

Nuno Espirito Santo, the Wolves head coach, must now prepare his players for a trip to Liverpool on Sunday, with the game coming just 44 hours and 45 minutes after the final whistle at Molineux.

Wolves, meanwhile, are facing a Football Association investigation after a supporter in the South Bank end threw a hip flask at Sterling.

The club are also preparing to scrutinise CCTV footage of the disorder which followed Sterling’s first-half goal, with potential punishment of stadium bans for any fans identified.

Sterling had seen his second penalty saved by Rui Patricio but after scoring from the rebound, objects were clearly thrown from the end behind the goal as the City and England winger celebrated.

Wolves security later reported that a hip flask was one of the objects handed to referee Martin Atkinson, with allegations that City supporters had also hurled items onto the field.

There was an announcement over the Molineux public address system warning fans of both clubs that they face criminal charges for hurling “foreign objects” onto the field.

Nuno said: “It’s no good, let’s not do it. Let’s support the team and enjoy the game.”

The FA are expected to ask Wolves for their observations, following the incident in the 25th minute when referee Martin Atkinson awarded the visitors a penalty after VAR checked on a foul by Leander Dendoncker on Riyad Mahrez.

Sterling’s first spot kick was saved by Patricio but Atkinson ordered a retake after VAR confirmed encroachment from Conor Coady.

Patricio saved again yet Sterling put away the rebound and as he ran in front of the South Bank to celebrate the opening goal, objects were clearly seen being thrown onto the field.

Benjamin Mendy appeared to pick up the hip flask and hand it to Atkinson, while other items were also given to the official.

Wolves will review video footage of the incident and are ready to issue stadium bans to those found guilty.