Manchester City remain in pole position in the Premier League title race - but they spurned a glorious late opportunity to all but wrap up the crown.
Pep Guardiola's side endured a dismal first-half at the London Stadium, and were two goals behind at the break against West Ham on Sunday afternoon. Jarrod Bowen's double put the hosts in control, but a deflected Jack Grealish strike minutes after the restart halved the deficit, before an own goal from Vladimir Coufal levelled the contest.
The point puts City four points clear of challengers Liverpool, who play their game in hand away at Southampton on Tuesday night, but a late VAR call presented the defending champions a chance to almost guarantee their fourth title in five seasons. Craig Dawson was penalised for a clumsy foul on Gabriel Jesus, and Riyad Mahrez assumed the spot-kick responsibility.
However, the winger's tame effort was comfortably beaten away by Lukasz Fabianski, and the 2-2 draw means City will likely have to win their final-day clash with Aston Villa. The point against the Hammers will be enough to secure top spot if Jurgen Klopp's side suffer defeat at St Mary's, and a draw for the Reds would leave them needing to secure a seven-goal swing and a home win over Wolves next weekend.
Gary Neville was on commentary duty for the London Stadium draw, and the Sky Sports pundit's reaction to the penalty save was telling. The former Manchester United defender claimed 'the title was within sight' after the 31-year-old failed to find the back of the net.
Indeed, Neville's reaction speaks volumes as City had the perfect chance to all but secure the title but Sunday's draw will give Liverpool hope. Guardiola's men are still favourites for the title but West Ham's performance shows that the title leaders do have plenty of weaknesses.
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City's comeback from two goals behind and Fabianski's penalty save proved Neville's pre-match prediction correct, with the pundit confident there would be a 'twist' to come in the title race. He told Sky Sports: "I think there’s a twist somewhere, I always think there’s a twist. They are incredible.
"They’ve [City] got such good depth to be able to call upon, even with the centre-backs that they’ve got out. They’ve got Ake on the bench who cost a lot of money. They still have a brilliant squad."
Former City defender Micah Richards questioned the choice of penalty taker, with the pundit believing Kevin de Bruyne should have been handed the responsibility. The Belgian playmaker scored four times in the comprehensive midweek win over Wolves.
Richards told Sky Sports: "I was thinking, is De Bruyne going to step up? Mahrez has missed a a few big ones. But you have to give the keeper credit here, it’s a wonderful save. Mahrez, you’re thinking, be the one and today, he couldn’t do that."
