MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Ilkay Gundogan blamed the tight schedule for a unique season for Manchester City as the club failed to reach Pep Guardiola’s set after a 1-1 draw with West Brom further threatened a title hunt.

City have won just five of the league’s 12 opening games this season, far from the 198 points they collected in two championship campaigns won under Guardiola in 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Last season, despite finishing in second place behind Liverpool, City scored 102 goals in the league but they struggled as they tried to break through West Brom.

“We went through a great year when we played good football before, so we set a high level,” Gundogan said.

“Across Europe big teams are struggling with schedules and it will not be easy for next week.

“That is the explanation why it is not easy because people have high expectations of us. We are not machines but we also know when we are not playing the best way.”