Manchester City won’t surrender in EPL title race, says Guardiola

Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City will keep fighting for the English Premier League (EPL) title despite blowing a two-goal lead in a damaging 2-2 draw at Tottenham on Sunday.

Guardiola’s side raced ahead in north London thanks to first half goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo.

But City collapsed after the interval.

Dominic Solanke bundled home to reduce the deficit kicking the back of City defender Marc Guehi’s leg in the act of scoring, but VAR reviewed the incident and the goal was allowed to stand.

City were unable to stem the tide of Tottenham pressure and Solanke produced a sensational scorpion kick equaliser from Conor Gallagher’s cross.

Solanke’s audacious back-flicked goal was a hammer blow to second-placed City, who now trail leaders Arsenal by six points.

Guardiola was left to bemoan Tottenham’s first goal, saying: “If a central defender does it to a striker, it’s a penalty.

“The game was well played and sometimes for long balls and second balls you miss it.

“We would prefer not to have the transition but an emotional issue for the first goal that the referee conceded to Spurs and after that the momentum is difficult to control.”

Guardiola was booked for his protests and looked in disbelief when the incident was played on big screens inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

City have won just once in their last six league games, allowing Arsenal to recover from their own recent stumble.

The Gunners’ 4-0 win at Leeds on Saturday suggested they are back on track, but Guardiola is adamant City can still catch Mikel Arteta’s men.

“With 14 games to play? As much the chance is there, the hopes will always be there,” he said.

“I know that these types of games always in the past you had to capitalise and win but yeah, the difficulties for many things, but players are coming back and I saw incredibly good spirit and many things.

“We had the injuries, one month ago we had a lot with nine or 10 players out but at the same time we are there and all the calendar is what it is.”

Injury-hit Tottenham’s spirited escape act was a welcome boost for under-fire boss Thomas Frank.

The Dane had faced calls for his sacking in recent weeks, but leading Tottenham into the Champions League last 16 has infused his side with renewed belief.

With 11 players unavailable and Solanke and Archie Gray limping towards the end, Frank hailed the spirit of his depleted group.

“I’m extremely happy that we finally got a point out of a big second half,” he said.

“I said it before, this team’s ability to respond to setbacks and show resilience, I think we are growing it bit by bit.

“And we are, by the way, building it with, I don’t know, players dropping left, right and centre to injury.

“I think that shows everything about the team and what they are building. Very proud of the players.”

Meanwhile, City midfielder Rodri called on referees ‘to be neutral’ in a furious tirade after their Premier League title bid

“I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win but the referee has to be neutral and for me honestly, it’s not fair,” Rodri told Australian broadcaster Stan Sport.

“At the end, when everything is finished, we are frustrated because it’s so clear the foul. He kicked the leg and of course with the push of the action on the ball, the ball goes in.

“We have to pay attention to these little things otherwise it’s going to be difficult for everyone because this league is like this - it’s about small details and everything counts, so I think today is a very tough day for us in this sense.”

The controversial call was just the latest decision that City feel has gone against them in recent weeks.

Guardiola claimed last week that the club’s success during his golden era had come “despite” decisions consistently going against his side.

“It’s one game and another game and it’s not possible,” added Rodri.

“He anticipated the leg of Marc and it’s a clear foul, but it’s not today. It’s two or three games in a row and I don’t know why, honestly.”

Agence France-Presse