16 May 2022

Manchester City draw, but still have destiny in their own hands

6:40 am on 16 May 2022

Manchester City came back from two goals down for the first time under Pep Guardiola to earn a 2-all draw at West Ham that means victory over Aston Villa on the final day will see them crowned Premier League champions.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola Photo: PHOTOSPORT

West Ham's Jarrod Bowen struck twice in the first half but Jack Grealish pulled one back for City early in the second before Vladimir Coufal scored an own goal. Riyad Mahrez missed a golden chance to seal a City win after he missed a late penalty.

Liverpool play at Southampton midweek and City had the chance to open a six-point lead at the top but the draw at the London Stadium left them four points above Juergen Klopp's side with one game left.

Victory on the final day at home to Aston Villa would guarantee City their fourth league title in five seasons, regardless of Liverpool's results against Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Pep Guardiola's team will win the title on Tuesday if Liverpool lose at Southampton.

"It's in our hands, that's good," Guardiola said.

"It would have been perfect to win today but West Ham is fighting for Europa League and have had an incredible season. It's so complicated to attack them and play against them, so difficult."

A stoppage-time header from substitute Pascal Struijk snatched Leeds United a crucial 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion to lift them out of the relegation zone.

With Burnley beaten 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds leapfrogged them and are a point above the drop zone.

Harry Kane scored for Spurs that moved them up to fourth.

Yoane Wissa created one goal and scored another as Brentford compounded Everton's relegation woes with a thrilling 3-2 victory at Goodison Park that leaves the Merseyside club, who finished with nine men, still in peril.

Everton are just two points above the relegation zone.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' hopes of playing in Europe next season ended following a 1-1 draw with relegated Norwich City that left them eighth on the table.

Substitute Jeffrey Schlupp struck an 82nd-minute equaliser as Crystal Palace fought back for a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes scored two goals each as Leicester City thrashed relegated Watford 5-1 at Vicarage Road, leaving the hosts without a home Premier League win this year.

Meanwhile Chelsea retained the Women's FA Cup with a 3-2 extra-time win over Manchester City, completing the double this season after winning the Super League title last week.

-Reuters