Man City pay penalty for costly miss

A dramatic penalty save might have kept the Premier League title race alive.

When Riyad Mahrez stepped up to take an 86th-minute spot kick for Manchester City, he knew that converting it would virtually secure another league championship for his team.

It was saved, though, by West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and City had to settle for a 2-2 draw at the Olympic Stadium yesterday— albeit from 2-0 down at halftime — to leave Liverpool still with hope.

City are now four points clear of Liverpool, who head to Southampton tomorrow needing at least a point to take the title race to the final round on Monday.

A win is probably required at Southampton, though, given City have a superior goal difference of 7 compared to Liverpool.

City finishes at home to Aston Villa, managed by Liverpool great Steven Gerrard, who was never able to win the league for Liverpool. He still could — but as a coach. Liverpool host Wolverhampton in their last game.

It’s just as tense at the other end of the standings.

Leeds scored in the second minute of stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 draw against Brighton and move out of the relegation zone at Burnley’s expense.

Burnley lost 1-0 at Tottenham a few hours earlier — Harry Kane scored the winner from the penalty spot — and lie in third-to-last place, one point behind Leeds. Burnley do have two games remaining while Leeds have one.

That left Everton with the chance to guarantee top-flight survival by beating Brentford, only to lose 3-2 after having defender Jarrad Branthwaite sent off in the 18th minute – when Everton was leading 1-0 – and then substitute Salomon Rondon red-carded in the 88th.

Watford’s season is coming to a messy end under departing manager Roy Hodgson, a 5-1 home loss to Leicester leaving his team a point above last-place Norwich, wh0 drew 1-1 at Wolves. Norwich and Watford have already been relegated.

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace drew 1-1.