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August 17, 2015


Ivanovic: No Time To Panic  (Sky Sports)

Branislav Ivanovic and Raheem SterlingChelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic insists two games into the season is too early to be writing off the Londoners' chances of retaining their Premier League title.

Chelsea lost 3-0 to Manchester City on Sunday and trail Manuel Pellegrini's side by five points having drawn their opening match of the campaign at home to Swansea.

Ivanovic admits the stuttering start to the season is far from ideal but refuses to being overly concerned with 36 matches remaining.

"At the moment, yes it looks a big gap - two games, five points - but we have to look at our situation and improve," said the Serb.

"It was a very difficult game for us but we can come back. This is the Premier League. Every game is another final so we have to look forward.

"We know what we haven't done well in the first two games but there is another 36 and we have to improve ourselves.

"For sure we will not give up after these two bad results for us. On Sunday we didn't compete with them and this was the problem for us in this game."

Chelsea ensured a troubled build-up to the game after a week of headlines dominated by manager Jose Mourinho's row with two of his medical staff.

This latest result, and its emphatic nature, could increase tensions at Stamford Bridge and Ivanovic concedes there can be no more revelling in last season's title success.

"We know that this is another year. Last year we won the title and we play with extra pressure now and we have to adapt to that," said the 31-year-old.

"We have to forget last season and start thinking about the points this season."



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