Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted conceding two goals before the half-hour made it an uphill task at Manchester United. The second placed Blues needed to win to keep up the pressure on top of the pile United but shipped goals after 36 seconds and 23 minutes.
Even though they pulled a goal back in the second half their rivals are now six points clear with two games to play.
"In the first minute we lost the game, we started so badly," he told Sky Sports 1.
"It was very difficult after that to come back and try to win. The second half was better but United played better and deserved to win.
"We have to accept the defeat, today United were better and in general this season they were better than us. They deserve to win title, they will win and we have to try to maintain second place."
Defender David Luiz was blamed for the first strike and was substituted at half-time but Ancelotti was not too critical.
"He had a little (injury) problem yesterday in training, we tried this morning and he said it was okay so I put him on the pitch.
"On the pitch, you can make a mistake."
Talk will now turn to Ancelotti's future at the club but he said: "We have to wait two weeks - it is not a long time.
"I hope to stay but it is not my decision."
