Guardiola denied, Spurs close gap on Chelsea
LONDON: Pep Guardiola’s problems mounted as Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Liverpool, while Tottenham beat Southampton 2-1 to keep in touch with runaway leaders Chelsea on Sunday.
Manchester United extended their unbeaten leaguerunto18 gamesas a31 victory at relegationthreatened Middlesbrough took them up to fifth place.
Guard io la was criticised after his side crashed out of the Champions League against Monaco in midweek and t he Spaniard suffered another blow as City’s slender hopes of catching Chelsea were effectively ended at Eastlands. City defender Gael Clichy gifted Liverpool a 51st minute penalty when he was beaten to a high ball by Roberto Firmino and compounded his mistake by fouling the Liverpool forwa rd in the area. F o rme r City star James Milner, jeered by his old club’s fans, s t epp e d up to hammer the spotkick past Wi l ly Caballero.
Guardiola’s side equalised in the 69th minute when Kevin De Bruyne whipped in an excellent cross and Sergio Aguero slotted home for his 25th goal of the season. But, despite chances aplenty in the closing stages of a thrilling clash, there was no winner for third placed City, who are now 12
points b eh ind Chelsea and stay just one point ahead of fourth placed Liverpool. “After the Champions League, the last few days at training people were so, so, sad,” Guardiola said.
“Our problem is we don’t score when they are easy goals. At least we showed spirit that we didn’t show in the first half in Monaco.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp added: “To get a point at Manchester City is absolutely OK. — AFP