Man City fall eight points behind PL leaders Chelsea post being held to 2-2 draw by QPR

Defending champions Manchester City were pushed back eight points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Queens Park Rangers (QPR) on Saturday.

Striker Charlie Austin helped QPR gain an early lead in the 21st minute, just minutes after City keeper Joe Hart had ruled out his effort with a two-touch free kick. But less then 20 minutes later striker Sergio Aguero responded by rounding Rob Green to level 1-1 for City.

Aguero now has 12 goals in as many Premier League matches but his brilliance would only serve as mild consolation for City fans that have seen their side lose again in Europe and draw with struggling QPR less than a week after success in the Manchester derby, The BBC reported.

Defeat to CSKA Moscow on Wednesday prompted widespread criticism of the Premier League champions and they now trail league leaders Chelsea, winners earlier in the day at Liverpool, by eight points, remaining third.

Without injured captain Vincent Kompany, City were pressured early on by Harry Redknapp's side, who move off the bottom, leapfrogging Burnley who beat Hull City earlier.

Austin, who now has four goals in his last three Premier League games, was at the centre of QPR's good work.

QPR have just two wins this season but showed more enthusiasm in the second period as Leroy Fer struck wide before Austin's cross was powered in by Demichelis under pressure from Bobby Zamora.

A City response arrived as Aguero's shot was cleared off the line by Richard Dunne and Stephen Caulker did the same to deny James Milner before QPR's resilience was broken by the exceptional Aguero just nine minutes before game.

City pressed and found a brave Joey Barton block in the way of a goal-bound Yaya Toure shot, but QPR held on to deliver a further blow to their title hopes, the report added.