West Ham United 2-2 Manchester City
Manchester City had to settle for a point away to West Ham United on Sunday, though it could have been worse…or better.
The Premier League table has a tight look about it now as the gap between Manchester City and Liverpool has increased to four points, but the Reds have a game in hand. It is still in the Sky Blues’ hands and a win next week will see Pep Guardiola lead them to a fourth title in five seasons.
In a pulsating game Jarred Bowen scored an excellent double in the first half and Jack Grealish pulled one back early in the second, before a Vladimir Coufal own goals levelled matters. And City could have taken all three points but Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski saved a penalty from Riyad Mahrez.
Highlights of the game
On 16 minutes the London Stadium stood as one and applauded their skipper and club legend Mark Noble; it was a great moment. The midfield general has been with West Ham since 2003 and is a Hammer through and through. He’s seen some good times and some bad times, and this was to be his final home appearance in the league.
And Noble celebrated with the home fans as the hosts moved into a surprise two goal lead.
But they could have been behind even before Bowen struck the first blow. Kurt Zouma got away with a crude challenge on Gabriel Jesus in the penalty area and VAR, for reasons known only to the chaps down at Stockley Park, declined to put the referee right.
That was on 15 minutes and City’s fury was doubled ten minutes later when Bowen latched on to a ball over the top from Pablo Fornals, and rounded Ederson on the left side of the penalty area before finishing brilliantly in the opposite corner.
And the shot stats were at 12 to one in favour of the Sky Blues, though one to one on target, when Bowen sprung the offside trap again. This time Michail Antonio lifted the ball over the City back line and Bowen hit his shot earlier, firing low into the bottom right corner and giving Ederson no chance.
At half time Liverpool fans would have been loving the Premier League 2022 updates
from the London Stadium as it seemed the Hammers were dragging the Reds back into the title race.
It only took the Sky Blues three minutes of the second half to halve the deficit and it was Grealish who made his mark, picking up a nod back from Rodri and driving the ball past Fabianski and into the net.
And then, with 20 minutes remaining, City were level. Antonio fouled Aymeric Laporte on the left flank and Riyad Mahrez fired in a brilliant cross which Vladimir Coufal could only glance into his own net.
The Hammers were on the rack and the crowd stood to their feet again, as David Moyes brought on Noble to do another big job for the club he loves and loves him.
But in a huge moment City had a fantastic chance to win the game when Craig Dawson tripped Jesus and this time VAR did intervene. But in yet another twist in an amazing title race Fabianski brilliantly saved Mahrez’ spot kick.
Erling Braut Haaland is on his way to the Etihad and that will make Manchester City an even better side, but they probably did enough in this second half to finish top of the pile in the 2021/22 campaign.
Key statistics
The Premier League 2022 betting odds have never doubted the Sky Blues and they are still in charge, but the game stats show this was a chance missed.
With 78 per cent possession, 31 shots to six and eight to two on target City were dominant; but the brilliant Bowen made his chances count.
What’s next?
Crashing out of the Champions League was a bitter blow for Manchester City to take and they will have to watch Liverpool take on Real Madrid in the showcase final in two weeks time.
But in the Premier League there is still plenty of drama and action to come.
Liverpool visit Southampton on Tuesday and then have a home match against Wolves and you’d expect them to win both of those. So City need to win their last game. And when the Sky Blues finish their campaign at home to Aston Villa that throws up a fascinating sub plot.
Villa are managed by Liverpool playing legend and fan Steven Gerrard.
Might Stevie G do his old mates a huge favour and keep the Reds’ quadruple hopes alive?
Now that would be a story.
So keep it here at SBOTOP as we enter a thrilling last week of yet another great Premier League campaign.
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