Steve Nicol was happy that Manchester City came back from two goals down to earn a draw. (1:02) On a day when West Ham seemed determined to breathe new life into the title race, the Manchester City team did just enough to ensure the trophy is still theirs to lose. City scored two goals in the second half, but missed a late penalty that would have sealed the trophy, as they were beaten by two goals at the London Stadium on Sunday. The point earned from the 2-2 draw means that if City can beat Villa in the final day of the season, they will be crowned champions. It looked like they were going to help out the Reds in their quest for a quadruple. They will have to finish with more points than their rivals next weekend because of their inferior goal difference. The party on the bus back from London would have been in full swing when the outstanding Jarrod Bowen scored twice for West Ham in the first half. You can watch the FC daily on the US version of the network.
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When City were being asked more questions about their character, they came up with an answer as Jack Grealish volleyed home just after the break and Vladimir Coufal's own goal drew them level. They have only managed to draw once when they have trailed by two or more goals at half-time in the league. It's a good time to make it two.
There are no debates about goal difference or anything, we need to win our game to be champion. In one week, our stadium will be sold out and we will give them all of our lives over 95 minutes.
It is an honor to have the chance to win one game at home and be the champion. I am looking forward to it. We are going to rest for a couple of days and then prepare for the game against Villa in a few days.
Last week, he moaned that everyone is supporting the other team, and here his team defended like they are also.
City might have been better off if he had picked Phil Foden instead of Aymeric Laporte in the middle of the defence.
They were lucky to get away with a CraigDawson free headed at the back post early on, and it only got worse from there. City failed to deal with second balls after long kicks forward from goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and left acres of space behind for the forward to run into, which led to two goals by Bowen in the first half. After Grealish had pulled one back, Michail Antonio was given another chance when Ederson missed the back pass, but Antonio missed the bar.
When Tomas Soucek headed a hopeful cross into the box, it was easily headed back into the danger area, but City did enough to stop him, and his shot flew wide.
There could still be twists and turns if City defends like this against Villa. Even though his team is not playing well, they can still score goals. In the second half, they had opportunities beyond the ones that went in, ending with 31 shots and 80% possession.
Grealish had a volley well saved by Fabianski, and the goalkeeper was also equal to the penalty four minutes from time, after Anthony Taylor looked at the replay of a foul he waved away on Gabriel Jesus.
The players were told after the game that they couldn't win the league against a team fighting for it. You have to keep fighting. It is in our hands at home that we have the privilege of fighting.
We have to look at ourselves and we will give everything. I told you not to be sad because you gave a really good performance and it is fair against this opponent to decide who is the best, because both teams are too good.
The character of the City team is unquestioned. Since the Real Madrid defeat in the semifinals of the European Championship, the former Manchester United defender has been the subject of two attacks by the coach.
They found a way to get a result despite being down 2-0 and facing a ferocious West Ham crowd who were paying tribute to Mark Noble. After a season in which they have dominated most of the league, their defining result of the campaign may be a draw at West Ham.
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