EPL: Man City draw West Ham, Tottenham move into top four in crunchy Premier League games

Manchester City were trailing Westham by 2-0 in the first half of a thrilling encounter before launching a second half comeback to settle for a draw in the crunchy encounter.

Riyad Mahrez had a chance to win the game for City but his 83rd penalty miss ensured both team share the spoils.

Pep Guardiola’s side were in danger of gifting second placed Liverpool a title lifeline after West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen struck twice in the first half.

But City’s stirring recovery showed the character that has already brought them three titles in the last four seasons.

Jack Grealish got one back soon after the interval and Vladimir Coufal’s own goal completed City’s escape act.

The result meant that City are 4 points clear of second place Liverpool who have a game in hand against Southampton on Tuesday night.

While that was a bitter blow to Guardiola, who stood ashen-faced on the touchline, in the circumstances City will be relieved to have moved four points clear of Liverpool with a goal difference seven better than their rivals.

If Liverpool beat Southampton to close the gap to one point, Guardiola’s men can still clinch the trophy with a victory against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on May 22.

A title race for the ages could well go down to the last day of the season, when Liverpool host Wolves, as it did when City pipped the Reds to first place in 2019.

Guardiola said this week he wants players with a “special mentality” as he looks to bolster his squad for next season, personalities who, like him, wake up every day obsessed with winning.

Although West Ham had nothing to play for, they had already beaten Liverpool and Chelsea at home and this was no easy ride for City as David Moyes’ game-plan exposed the flaws in the leaders’ commitment to all-out attack.

Meanwhile Leeds United grabbed an away draw to keep their hopes of surviving relegation alive.

Time looked to be running out but a spirited second-half display was capped by a late Struijk header that lifted the roof off Elland Road as it takes Leeds out of the bottom three by one point at the expense of Burnley, who have a game in hand on their relegation rivals.

That clash comes on Thursday at Aston Villa while Leeds play Brentford on the final day and the Clarets face Newcastle.

Leeds almost made a dream start when Joe Gelhardt’s effort following a corner was inadvertently blocked on the goal-line by the face of his skipper Liam Cooper.

After that early chance, the visitors took over and the opening goal duly arrived, courtesy of more lightweight Leeds defending that has blighted their season.

Rodrigo, the club’s record signing, dithered in possession and Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma was left unchallenged as he came away with the ball.

Leeds still were well set to defend the attack but Welbeck out-paced and out-muscled the hapless Diego Llorente before dinking an excellent finish over Illan Meslier.

Raphinha snatched at a half-opening early in the second period and Jack Harrison blazed over.

Robert Sanchez produced a flying save to keep out Raphinha’s thumping drive from a free-kick and the Brazilian then turned Rodrigo’s arcing low cross just the wrong side of a post as Leeds gave Elland Road plenty to cheer.

However, with time running out, the home fans sensed it was not to be their day and a section turned on the club’s hierarchy.

A chorus of “sack the board” rang out as Welbeck missed a golden chance to seal victory for the Seagulls in the closing stages by heading Leandro Trossard’s cross wide.

But in the second minute of added time, Gelhardt evaded several challenges in Brighton’s box and crossed to the far post where Struijk rose to head home a vital equaliser.

Leeds have hope going into the final day.

However, at White Hart lane Harry Kane’s penalty goal moved Tottenham into the Premier League top four as Antonio Conte’s men struggled to defeat relegation battlers Burnley.

Spurs are now two points clear of Arsenal who have a date with Newcastle on Monday night to seek a return to top four.

Tottenham still need a slip up from the Gunners to return to the Champions League next season, but upped the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s men.

Burnley are only still in the fight for their place in the top flight thanks to a run of 10 points from a possible 12 in the first four games after sacking Sean Dyche.

Defeat at home to Aston Villa last weekend ended that unbeaten run, but there was plenty of encouragement for the Clarets they can do enough to survive in the final week of the season.

EPL: Man City draw West Ham, Tottenham move into top four in crunchy Premier League games

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