Doku still looking up

JEREMY Doku insists Manchester City's level remains high despite their Champions League exit compounding a deflating week.

- BY ANDY HAMPSON

Jeremy Doku

City were all but eliminated from the European competition last week when they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their last-16 tie against Real Madrid.

Despite a spirited effort they were unable to retrieve the situation and went out 5-1 overall following a battling 2-1 loss - after playing most of the game with 10 men - at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

With a damaging draw at West Ham between the two Real encounters leaving them trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by nine points, it has been a frustrating period for City.