City’s Premier League title hopes took another major hit after they were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation-battling West Ham
Pep Guardiola refused to throw in the towel in the Premier League title race but admitted “it’s complicated” after Manchester City fell nine points off the pace at the London Stadium on Saturday evening.
Just three days after their Champions League dreams were shattered by a 3-0 defeat at Real Madrid, a second part of what until recently was a potential quadruple potentially went up in smoke.
The damage was done by former Gunners defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, who equalised after Bernardo Silva had given City the lead. To make matters worse, Arsenal had snatched two late goals to beat Everton just 20 minutes before City’s kick-off, cranking up the pressure.
“We want to be there”
Guardiola had previously admitted the title race would be “over” if his side dropped points. City still have a game in hand as well as a visit from Arsenal later in the season, but this was another costly draw after they were held by Nottingham Forest 10 days ago.
“It’s complicated. We win against Nottingham, it depends on us, now it depends on them,” Guardiola said.
“But we have one game in hand, we have Arsenal at home – I’m not saying it will be easy to beat them – but at home I’m always positive. When it’s not possible, after I don’t know, half an hour, an hour, because they have to celebrate, I’ll call Mikel (Arteta) and congratulate him. But since this is going to happen, we want to be there because, of course, we have a lot of things to do.”
Haaland’s struggles continue
Erling Haaland misfired badly again and has now scored just three times in 12 Premier League matches, continuing a worrying slump for the Norwegian striker.
Nevertheless, City took the lead in the 31st minute when Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush fed Silva down the left. The Portugal playmaker appeared to be attempting to loft the ball towards Haaland, but instead his miscued cross turned into a superb, delicate chip over stunned Hammers goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
Donnarumma howler gifts West Ham equaliser
However, the lead lasted just four minutes before Jarrod Bowen swung in West Ham’s first corner of the match. City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma came out to punch the ball clear but missed it completely, leaving Mavropanos with a free header.
Guardiola was watching from the directors’ box as he served a touchline ban for the booking he received at Newcastle in the FA Cup last weekend.
He quipped: “I saw it in my perfect position today. I confirm right now that I will be more aggressive for the referees, to get more yellow cards, to go more often in the stands. The position is much better. So, Howard Webb, educate your referees that I’m coming.”
West Ham climb out of relegation zone
It was also a big night at the other end of the pitch, with a point lifting West Ham out of the relegation zone for the first time since December.
“There was no other way,” said boss Nuno Espirito Santo. “You have to recognise the quality of your opponent and defend. We defended higher and better. We didn’t allow too many situations for City to break us down. It was a very good defensive performance. It was heroic from our boys.”
