Man City’s title celebrations remain on hold
No Premier League title celebrations yet for Manchester City, just so much frustration after they were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
City hosted the Blues, who they will also face in the Champions League final, knowing that a victory would secure a third league title in four years but instead they were left to rue some regrettable decisions.
‘‘We can learn from this and move on,’’ City manager Pep Guardiola said, with three league matches remaining for his side.
Raheem Sterling broke the
deadlock just before halftime when he slotted the ball in after Sergio Aguero’s heavy touch from a cutback by Gabriel Jesus.
Aguero then had the opportunity to double City’s lead moments later after Billy Gilmour bundled Jesus over in the area to concede a penalty.
However, the Argentine forward had his Panenka easily saved by Edouard Mendy, who stayed on his feet to make a comfortable stop.
It proved a costly error as Chelsea equalised when Hakim Ziyech drilled a shot home in the 63rd after Rodri was caught in possession on the half-way line.
Sterling appeared to have won a late penalty when Kurt Zouma clumsily bundled him over in the box but the match officials saw no infringement, much to the hosts’ dismay. And in stoppage time, Marcos Alonso slotted in after Timo Werner pulled the ball back into the six-yard box to complete the turnaround as Chelsea went third.
‘‘If you want to steal all three points here after being down, you need a bit of luck, decisions from the referee,’’ Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said.
Liverpool moved up to sixth with a 2-0 win over Southampton at Anfield.
The Reds took the lead in the 31st minute when Mohamed Salah’s cross was headed home by former Saints striker Sadio Mane.
Thiago rifled in a second in stoppage time as Liverpool closed to within six points of the top four – having played a game less than Leicester City.
‘‘We are kind of [in the topfour race],’’ Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said.
‘‘It’s not impossible but it’s difficult. We will give it a try and see where we get to.’’
Earlier, Leeds United dented Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League ambitions with a 3-1 win at Elland Road.
Elsewhere, Christian Benteke marked his 100th Premier League start for Crystal Palace with a goal inside the opening two minutes of a 2-0 victory at already relegated Sheffield United.