Man City comeback keeps title in their hands
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Manchester City came from 0-2 down to salvage a vital point in a 2-2 draw at West Ham to keep the Premier League title in their hands as Tottenham moved into the top four on Sunday.
City travelled to London Stadium knowing they needed a maximum of four points from their final two games of the season to guarantee a fourth title in five years.
However, the Hammers took full advantage of City’s injury crisis at the back as the pace and poise of Jarrod Bowen put Liverpool right back in the title race.
Pep Guardiola was without Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker, and a makeshift defence was easily cut open on the counter-attack.
Bowen burst onto Pablo Fornals’ ball over the top to round Ederson and put City behind in a league game for the first time since February.
City did not learn their lesson as Bowen broke the offside trap once more in the final seconds of the first half to fire low past Ederson.
The champions were rattled but responded to keep the destiny of the title in their own hands.
Jack Grealish has failed to live up to his £100-million (Us$123million) price tag but came up with his biggest City goal four minutes into the second period to get the comeback started.
West Ham still had huge chances to restore their two-goal lead as Bowen hit the side netting from a narrow angle and Michail Antonio’s lob drifted wide with just Ederson to beat.
City had fortune on their side to get level when Vladimir Coufal turned Riyad Mahrez’s free kick into his own net.
But Guardiola’s men missed the chance to complete the comeback and move to the brink of the title when Mahrez’s penalty was saved by Lukasz Fabianski four minutes from time.
City move four points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table but the quadruple-chasing Reds have a game in hand away to Southampton on Tuesday.
“Now there is no debate about goal difference — just win our game and we will be champions,” said Guardiola.
At the Tottenham Hotspur stadium Harry Kane’s penalty moved Spurs into fourth with a nervy 1-0 win over Burnley.
Antonio Conte’s men move two points ahead of north London rivals Arsenal who travel to Newcastle on Monday in the battle for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Tottenham still need a slip-up from the Gunners to return to the Champions League next season but upped the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s men.
Defeat sees Burnley drop into the relegation zone after Leeds snatched a late 1-1 draw at home to Brighton.
Burnley now need something from their final two games to survive as Pascal Struijk’s late leveller at Elland Road gave Leeds hope.
Danny Welbeck put in form Brighton in front but he then missed a glorious chance to double Brighton’s lead as Struijk’s stoppage time header earned a point.
Everton are also still in a three-way battle to beat the drop after having two men sent off in a 2-3 scoreline game.
Dominic Calvert-lewin put the Toffees in front before Jarrad Branthwaite was dismissed for pulling down Ivan Toney on 18 minutes.
Seamus Coleman’s own goal levelled for the Bees but Everton led again at half-time thanks to Richarlison’s penalty.
Two goals in two minutes from Yoane Wissa and Rico Henry turned the game around and Everton’s misery was compounded by a late red card for Salomon Rondon.
Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes each scored twice as Leicester thrashed already-relegated Watford 5-1, while Aston Villa and Crystal Palace played out a 1-1 draw.