Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes their title hopes have disappeared following their 2-1 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

A brace from Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard cancelled out Sergio Aguero’s 26th-minute goal, with the striker scoring his 27th goal of the season.

City midfielder Fabian Delph made his first appearance for a month, while injury-hit captain Kompany has not featured for the club since January 28.

The 45-year-old manager says he was impressed by the return of Delph and Kompany following their performance against the Blues.

‘Congratulations to Fabian Delph. He showed me how wrong I was not to put him on the field. He never complains,’ Guardiola told the Manchester City website.

‘Vincent Kompany is so aggressive and it’s not easy to come back from injury. I’m so happy for him.

The Spanish manager admits that his side’s title hopes and he insists they will now focus on securing their place in the Champions League for next season.

‘The Premier League is gone now, it will be between Tottenham and Chelsea. So now we want the Champions League places,’ He added.

The City manager heaped praise on his side’s performance against the current log leaders after they dominated in terms of possession and chances.

‘It’s an honour to have the amazing players I have. We come here to Stamford Bridge and play the way we have, with a huge personality. I’m a lucky guy to manage these guys,’ Guardiola said.

‘It’s encouraging for the future. I’m optimistic. It’s been like this all season but in the boxes, we are not good enough. We created enough to score goals. It’s our problem. But my players play in one way and that’s why I want to be here – to help Man City for years.

‘The people who are watching us must be proud of our fans. We did everything.’

Manchester City will be hoping to bounce back when they welcome Hull City to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.

Kick-off has been set for 16:00.