Pepe Mel: 'Early goals made it difficult'

Pepe Mel has admitted that conceding two early goals against Manchester City on Monday left West Bromwich Albion with too big a mountain to climb.

Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero scored for the Citizens in the opening 10 minutes at the Etihad Stadium.

Graham Dorrans pulled one back for the Baggies before Martin Demichelis restored City's two-goal cushion before the break in a match that would finish 3-1, and Mel has confessed that such a poor start meant that Albion had to abandon their pre-match tactics to frustrate the title contenders.

"With conceding the goal in the third minute, it meant we had to change our plans," he told Sky Sports News.

"Playing against Manchester City and being 2-0 down after 10 minutes makes things difficult but our players really tried for the last 80 minutes."

Albion, who are three points above safety, face West Ham United when they return to Premier League action on Saturday.