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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joe Bray

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte rules Manchester United out of title race

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte believes only two teams can win the Premier League title this season, after Arsenal beat his side in the North London derby.

Arsenal's latest statement victory sent them eight points clear at the top of the table, following Manchester City's defeat in their own derby with Manchester United, who are now just a point off the Blues in fourth, level with third-placed Newcastle.

Despite a point separating City, United and Newcastle, Spurs manager Conte believes there is only a two-horse race, effectively ruling United out of contention for the title.

ALSO READ: Guardiola knows City have a title race advantage Arsenal and United don't have

This next week will test the credentials of City, United and Arsenal - plus Spurs who remain in fifth. Conte's side travel to City on Thursday, before United take on Arsenal at the Emirates in two fixtures that could change the complexion of the title race.

However, Conte said after Spurs' defeat by Arsenal that only City are capable of catching the Gunners.

He said: "About the performance, I'm not disappointed. I'm not disappointed because we knew the game could be really difficult because Arsenal are a really strong team, and also tonight showed they deserve to stay top of the league. They deserve to be title contenders. In my opinion, Arsenal and City, they are the only two teams that can fight for the Premier League in this season.

"Now we have to move on. We know that on Thursday we have to go to play another difficult game against City, against the other team I consider will fight for the title."

After defeat at United, City boss Pep Guardiola appeared to rule his side out of title contention, saying 'we cannot win it'. He had also said he 'didn't care' if City won the title, but later clarified those comments to say: "Come on, of course I care who wins the Premier League. But right now, after Southampton, if we don't win, we don't win.

"We're not going to win everything for the next 25 years. We fight, because we saw [against United] we're going to fight and play to win, but sometimes football is like that. You don't win."

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