Riyad Mahrez missed a late penalty as Manchester City slipped up in the Premier League title race after drawing 2-2 at West Ham United on Sunday.
FULL TIME | City fight back to snatch a vital point on the road! 💪
⚒ 2-2 🔵 | #ManCity pic.twitter.com/i2piJNoa10
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 15, 2022
Jarrod Bowen grabbed a first-half brace to give West Ham a shock lead but City responded with second-half strikes from Jack Grealish and a Vladimir Coufal own goal.
In the latter stages of the game, Mahrez saw his spot-kick saved by Lukasz Fabianski to give Liverpool hope in the title race.
Pep Guardiola’s side hold a four-point lead at the top of the table while Liverpool have a game in hand.
“It’s in our hands, that’s good,” Guardiola said in his postmatch interview.
“It would have been perfect to win today but West Ham is fighting for Europa League and have had an incredible season.
Mr West Ham. It’s been an honour & privilege to get to know you as a man and as a player. Thank you for some of the best memories and moments together. I am grateful that you’ve played a massive part in my life. Enjoy retirement mate❤️⚒️ pic.twitter.com/qQ8waWb9VJ
— Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice) May 15, 2022
It’s so complicated to attack them and play against them, so difficult. [It was a] great comeback. I think we played a really good game. They are so good in the transitions.
“But we spoke at halftime, ‘Don’t give up. Score one goal and we’ll be in the game.’ Fortunately, we scored earlier in the second half, and afterward, we had one chance… fair result.”
The hosts had the first chance of the game inside three minutes when an unmarked Craig Dawson headed over from close range.
City had a claim for a penalty after 15 minutes when Kurt Zouma appeared to clip Gabriel Jesus inside the area but the referee waved protests away.
Manchester City have trailed by 2+ goals at half time on 52 previous occasions in the Premier League, while they have never come back to win one of them, drawing one and losing 51. West Ham United have given Liverpool a glimmer of hope for the #PL title. pic.twitter.com/68VUbmPh2V
— Faisal Caesar (@faisalyorker1) May 15, 2022
It was a crucial moment as West Ham scored less than 10 minutes later when Bowen beat the offside trap, skipped past Ederson, and produced a fine finish into the far corner.
On the stroke of half-time, West Ham doubled their lead as Bowen raced in behind City’s defence again and slotted past the goalkeeper.
City responded well and grabbed a goal back four minutes into the second half through Grealish’s deflected effort.
The visitors started to dominate possession but West Ham had better chances to restore their two-goal lead.
Bowen almost made the most of a defensive mix-up but hit the side netting while Michail Antonio missed when one-on-one with Ederson.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better send-off.” ❤️
Mark Noble reflects on his final game in front of the West Ham fans at the London Stadium 👏 pic.twitter.com/aaZLA3QIp6
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 15, 2022
However, City equalised after 69 minutes when Coufal headed into his own net from Mahrez’s free-kick.
With five minutes remaining, City were awarded a penalty after a VAR check as Jesus was brought down by Dawson inside the area.
Mahrez stepped up but the penalty was saved by Fabianski as West Ham managed to hold on for the point.
Courtesy: ESPN