Defending champions Manchester City dropped points in the exciting final sprint of the Premier League, but go into the last matchday as the front runner. At West Ham United, coach Pep Guardiola’s team managed to draw 2-2 (0-2) after a two-goal deficit at half-time. Riyad Mahrez missed a penalty and thus the preliminary decision in the race for the championship with Jürgen Klopps FC Liverpool.
A goal from Jack Grealish (49th minute) and an own goal from West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal (69th) saved City at least a point in London. Earlier, Jarrod Bowen (24/45) gave the strong Hammers, where captain Mark Noble played his last game after 18 years at the club, the lead.
In the closing stages, Manchester City were awarded a penalty after a foul on Gabriel Jesus in the penalty area – and after the referee reviewed the scene again. But Mahrez missed City’s chance to win. Lukasz Fabianski saved his shot.
Man City goes into the last game of the season next Sunday with 90 points against Aston Villa and the long-distance duel with second-placed Liverpool FC. Jürgen Klopp’s team, who won the FA Cup on Saturday, play at FC Southampton on Tuesday and can score 89 points with a win there.
Even if Liverpool win against Wolverhampton next Tuesday and the final game of the season, the Reds will no longer have the title in their own hands.
Klopp and his side must hope for another slip-up from Manchester City. Opponents Aston Villa are in no man’s land in the table with 44 points. As twelfth, Villa no longer has anything to do with the relegation battle, but can no longer reach the international places either.
