Pep Guardiola has urged Manchester City fans to “go to the streets” ahead of the Premier League leaders’ final game of the season against Aston Villa.
City found themselves 2-0 down to West Ham at half-time on Sunday but fought back to draw 2-2.
However, City missed a chance to win it late on when Riyad Mahrez saw a penalty saved by Lukasz Fabianski. It is only the second penalty the Algeria international has missed during his time with the club, having also squandered an opportunity from 12 yards against Liverpool in October 2018.
Fabianski, meanwhile, has saved 10 Premier League penalties, with only David James (13) and Thomas Sorensen (12) stopping more spot-kicks in the competition.
That draw lifts City four points above Liverpool, who won the FA Cup on Saturday by beating Chelsea on penalties, with one match left to play.
It comes next Sunday, against a Liverpool great, as Steven Gerrard takes his Aston Villa team to the Etihad Stadium. The Reds, meanwhile, face Southampton on Tuesday and then host the Wolves in their final game.
Should Southampton claim an unlikely win, the title will be City’s.
But any other result means it is heading to the last day – something that Guardiola is relishing.
He told a news conference:
“Next week, our stadium will be sold out, we will give them our lives, and they will share theirs.
“To do it is an incredible privilege, after many years, great.
“To have our chance with our people, win one game to be champions. I’m looking forward to it.
“If they lose or win, it depends on us, do a perfect game we possibly can do, all the people.
“All blue people in Manchester, go to the streets and go to the stadium.
“Because they know we’ll give everything to win that game, and they will be so proud.”
City trailed by two or more goals at half-time for the 53rd time in the Premier League, with this only the second time they have avoided defeat from such a position (D2 L51).
While they remain unbeaten away from home in the top flight since losing their opening match to Tottenham.
Likewise, for more football news like this, click here.
