Cesc Fabregas has apparently downplayed the significance of Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Manchester City by insisting the Citizens were simply 'better rested'.

The reigning champions were outclassed by Pep Guardiola's men in the Premier League last weekend with former graduate Kevin de Bruyne bagging the winner in the second-half. As a result, the Blues are six points behind table-toppers City heading into the second international break of the campaign.

Speaking on the loss, Fabregas insisted that the Citizens were in a better physical shape than the Blues having played out a home win over Shakhtar Donetsk, a day prior to Chelsea's hard-fought victory at Atletico Madrid. The Blues had made a similar start to the campaign last term, and Fabregas believes that the six-point margin does not mean anything at this stage of the campaign.

"This was without a doubt the same Chelsea of last season, but what happened was that we came up against a City side who went into the game much better rested than we did. Nothing more. This time last year we were eight points behind, but it doesn't mean anything. There is still a long way to go in all competitions," he told the club's official website.

Fabregas was initially expected to struggle for a regular spot in the starting line-up, but Conte has managed to shuffle his options around to vacate a spot for the Spaniard. The World Cup winner initially started off in the central midfield positions for the Blues, but he has since been moved further forward in a supporting role behind the main striker.

Alvaro Morata has been the shining light of the Blues' Premier League campaign, but he managed just 35 minutes of first-team action against City before sustaining a hamstring injury. In his absence, Eden Hazard is a potential pick to play in the false number 9 position.