Manchester City

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola said on Friday the Premier League title race would be "over" if his side dropped points at West Ham.

While he and his side will not give up until it is mathematically decided, it seemed Arsenal's win over Everton with two late goals intensified the pressure on City and they could not deliver the victory they needed.

With Guardiola glowering from the stands as he served the first of a two-game touchline ban, his team jogged their way to an unhelpful point.

They lined up with a two-man strikeforce, for the ninth time in 11 games, but neither Erling Haaland nor Omar Marmoush impressed in the system and find a way through the defiant Hammers defence.

Haaland - who has scored 11 Premier League goals against West Ham, more than any other opponent - was again blunt.

He has scored just twice since January, and seems unsuited to the change in tactics which has crowbarred in Antoine Semenyo, who wasted a great opportunity and was also subdued.

Whether it was Guardiola or assistant Pep Lijnders - an energetic presence in the technical area, with earbuds in to get instructions from the boss - that decided the half-time change, but City switched to a 4-3-3 and sparked an improvement in the second half without reward for their efforts.

Marmoush made way for Jeremy Doku out wide, while Rayan Cherki replaced Rayan Ait-Nouri with Nico O'Reilly, who started in midfield, reverting to left-back.

City were energised as they pushed for the winner to revive their title hopes. But clear-cut chances were thin on the ground - and when they did materialise, they did not take them and Hermansen made two good saves to rescue the Hammers.

City have lost just one of their last 18 league games but have dropped 10 points from winning positions in that run, through draws with Chelsea, Brighton, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and now West Ham.

If they had held onto those leads, they would be top.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports after the draw with West Ham: "Who said? It's not over. We didn't lose. It's not over. We will continue.

"We have an incredible team, spirit, we had an incredible amount of effort in Madrid and how we played first half. More shape and we put energy into the second half with incredibly talented players. The last two games, Nottingham Forest, we played much, much better.

"We are an incredible team. We play so good. The guys go and go until we cant continue. We didn't score enough goals when we had the quality to score. They punished us."

On watching from the stands: "It was perfect. I love to be there.

"I will complain more to the referees to get more yellow cards. I will try it again. It was different, more relaxed. We spoke during half time and in the second half to try and put creative players in position."

On being on the phone with assistant Pep Lijnders: "We charged the battery before."

On whether there is still a title race: "Now we will rest and prepare for Madrid and give everything. These guys deserve it. Nine points is a lot against Arsenal but it happened. We have the game at home so we have to try until the end. When it is not possible then we congratulate the champion but we have to try."

You can also listen to Guardiola speaking to BBC Radio Manchester on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Man City's Bernardo Silva has been involved in seven Premier League goals against West Ham (2 goals, 5 assists), only having more against Manchester United (2 goals, 6 assists).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Man City's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Nuno Espirito Santo makes two changes to the West Ham side that started the win over Fulham in their last Premier League game.

Injured Crysencio Summerville misses out and Callum Wilson drops to the bench, with a third centre back - Konstantinos Mavropanos - and forward Pablo coming in.

It looks like a change of shape for the Hammers, from a 4-4-2 to five at the back.

West Ham XI: Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Disasi, Mavropanos, Todibo, Diouf; Hernandes, Soucek; Pablo, Castellanos, Bowen

Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Wilson, Traore, Magassa, Potts, Kante, Mayers

Pep Guardiola makes three changes to the Manchester City XI which started their chastening midweek defeat at Real Madrid.

Matheus Nunes starts at right back, with Abdukodir Khusanov reverting to central defence and Ruben Dias dropping to the bench.

Wingers Jeremy Doku and Savinho are out, in come Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri. It looks like Guardiola has reverted to two up top.

Man City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Semenyo, Rodri, Bernardo, O'Reilly; Haaland, Marmoush

Subs: Trafford, Dias, Reijnders, Ake, Kovacic, Cherki, Doku, Nico, Foden

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Burnley v Bournemouth - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Sunderland v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Arsenal v Everton (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Chelsea v Newcastle (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• West Ham v Man City (20:00)

Kick-offs 15:00 unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Brighton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Everton", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Manchester City have not lost to West Ham in the league since 2015 but this will be a test for them.

The Hammers are desperate for points, while City melted in Madrid in midweek. From 3-0 down, I can't see them turning that tie around on Tuesday.

This is a big few weeks for Pep Guardiola's side, who have got Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals and are clinging on in Europe.

The quadruple is still on for City but, at the moment, you'd say they are far more likely to end up with a trophyless season than they are to win all four.

West Ham surprised me by beating Fulham in their last league game, but I am still not convinced by them at home.

This will be tricky for City but I think they will edge it. Everyone else seems to have lost faith in Erling Haaland, but not me. He will score, and City will win.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matt Jones

After a humiliating night in the Champions League, Manchester City will shift their focus back to the Premier League title race on Saturday (20:00 GMT) against a rejuvenated West Ham United.

Real Madrid hammered Pep Guardiola's side 3-0 at the Bernabeu to put City's hopes of European glory in major doubt. They could potentially find themselves with a 10-point gap to make up at the top of the table come kick-off on Saturday too, as Arsenal play at home against Everton earlier in the day.

They may start the weekend in the bottom three, but there is momentum behind West Ham. They have won seven of their past 11 games and can move out of the bottom three with a positive result on Saturday.

Hammers seek alternative attacking plan

The positive feeling around London Stadium reached its high point on Monday night as the team progressed into the FA Cup quarter-finals after a penalty shootout win over Brentford. But it was punctured the day after by some injury news.

Crysencio Summerville has been key to the team finding some form in recent months, although he will not be available for this weekend's game because of a calf problem.

The Dutch winger has scored seven goals and registered one assist across his past 13 games, and West Ham's record without him in the side this season leaves a lot to be desired. They have won none of their five league games without him in 2025-26.

Summerville has also been crucial to West Ham getting into good positions in games. Four of his goals this season have put the Hammers 1-0 up, the highest proportion of opening goals of any player to score at least four times this term.

Even with their star winger, City would represent a big test for West Ham. They have not beaten them at London Stadium in nine attempts in the top flight, losing seven and drawing two. City are unbeaten in 20 Premier League games overall against the Hammers.

Haaland hindered by Semenyo arrival?

Wednesday's heavy defeat in Madrid will be tough for City to brush off. But they have no choice if they are to keep pace in the title race.

Although City have lost only one of their past 17 Premier League games, there is still a sense that the team is lacking balance. Since the arrival of Antoine Semenyo, there has definitely been a shift in style too.

City have started with a two-man strike force in eight of their past 10 matches. Guardiola has gone with two strikers in seven league games this calendar year; he had previously played with two up front just 10 times in the competition since joining City in 2016.

While Semenyo has been a big hit at City - he has seven goals and two assists already - he has yet to gel with star forward Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian scored 20 of his 22 goals this season before Semenyo joined and made his City debut, but he has netted only two goals in matches in which the January signing has also started since.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against West Ham at London Stadium (kick-off 20:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Guardiola tried to brush past questions on the 3-0 loss against Real Madrid: "We are used to these kind of situations. So, next one..."

• On his team selections: "We won or lose against Madrid? We lost, so it was a bad selection. We won or lose at Newcastle? So the selection was good. All the time we are making decisions and I think a lot about what is best for the team."

• He added: "There is a lot of travel. We can't play the same XI. I am not thinking about what we have won. My mind is West Ham. I understand you ask about Madrid but I focus on West Ham and Nuno."

• He says everything is fine with Erling Haaland for Saturday's game.

• When asked about balancing West Ham and being ready for Real Madrid he said: "Every game is important, my focus is West Ham. I've been massacred on decisions and what happened. It's not my first time. I can argue the decision on the team selection. I will not convince you because we lost. If the argument was before, I could understand. But it's not about... What was the question?"

• On Premier League sides not performing well in the Champions League at the moment: "Before England was the best league in the world, we were the best but after what happened in midweek we are not. I am sure we are an incredible league. In this, it is a one off game... We could do better."

• After being asked again about the Madrid loss he said: "My opinion is not going to change. In the first half before the goal, we played exceptionally, we were a threat. Then the goals come and the quality of Valverde it was a completely different game."

• He looked to avoid discussing Real Madrid again after being asked about overcoming the deficit against: "West Ham. I will think after that. Play the game we have to play that will dictate it. We will see on Tuesday. The league is the most difficult title."

• When asked about West Ham being "desperate for points" this weekend he said: "We are desperate too."

• Guardiola pointed to the critical nature of the fixture: "The Premier League is the most difficult title, the Premier League I believe is the most difficult one and still we are there knowing that if we drop points it will be over."

• On Antoine Semenyo being named Premier League Player of the Month for February: "I'm so happy for him, an incredible guy, he deserves it. I'm so happy for him!"

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got any questions about Man City? Get in touch using out 'Ask about Man City' form

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

It's tense at the top. With matches running out, here's how the Premier League title race is looking.

Arsenal enjoy a seven-point lead over Manchester City but have played a game more.

Looking at the remaining fixtures, the Gunners have a slightly easier run-in on paper, although their eight remaining games include what could be a title-defining trip to the Etihad on 19 April.

Beyond that, it is worth noting that four of Arsenal's next five league games are at home against mid-table sides, while four of Manchester City's next five are away, including a trip to Chelsea.

While some have questioned Arsenal's ability to go on and win the league, it's clear City haven't been the terrifying force of seasons past.

In fact, only twice under Pep Guardiola have they had fewer points after 29 games than their haul of 60 this term – in their first season under him back in 2016-17 (58) and last season (48).

If we look at both teams' expected goals numbers, neither has been as dominant as the title-winners in recent years – whether due to their own flaws or the Premier League being more competitive than ever – so there's a chance of both sides slipping up in their remaining games.

Good news for Arsenal fans is that the most dominant team statistically - in terms of expected goal difference per game, excluding penalties - have won the Premier League in three of the past four seasons.

The exception came when Manchester City pipped the Gunners to the title two years ago.

Read more on how the run-in is shaping up in the battle to avoid relegation and the chase for Europe

Barcelona have held talks with Manchester City to ensure they get first refusal on Erling Haaland should he ever become available for transfer. (Sport - in Spanish), external

However, the striker's agent, Rafaela Pimenta, played down the Barca links on a Spanish TV programme. (Times - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Emily Brobyn
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

As a Manchester City fan, I've become so accustomed to facing off with Real Madrid in the Champions League. Whether it was in the old Bernabeu or new, these clashes often deliver the most epic moments in Europe's elite competition.

From the last minute comeback led by Rodrygo in 2022 in the semi final, the breath-taking 3-3 thriller in 2024 and the Kylian Mbappe hat-trick during last year's play-off eliminator - I've been there for them all.

As I made my way to the ground last night, I felt cautiously optimistic. Los Blancos were missing key players and have underwhelmed largely so far this season.

That optimism waned when I saw the team sheet. Pep Guardiola is as brilliant as he is stubborn; the first leg called for still being in the game for the second. It called for sticking to what you know works best, for keeping the ship steady.

Attempting to go all out attack in an amphitheatre so reminiscent of European drama against the 15-time winners smacked of a mixture of arrogance and, unbelievably for a manager so decorated, naivety. An 'I know better' approach.

He certainly did not and he definitely didn't have any answers to a Madrid masterclass. For all the players that were missing for the home side, they still had an ace in their pack. Federico Valverde scored a masterful hat-trick - he might have made it look so easy, but Pep's tactics proved to be Alvaro Arbeloa's greatest assist of the night.

Guardiola not starting with his best XI was just as much of a head-scratcher. Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Nunes had all been worthy of a start. Nico O'Reilly, moved from his recent successful midfield exploits, shunted to left back. Abdukodir Khusanov, so quick and powerful at centre back, much less effective at right back. Savinho, a shocking reminder that City should've taken £75m from Spurs for him in the Summer. Not one player in blue boarded that flight back to Manchester with any glory - but that's on the manager who left them so vulnerable with his tactics.

What now? A 3-0 deficit to overcome or face being knocked out by Madrid for the third year in a row. But where does it leave City's season? Seven points behind Arsenal in the League, a League Cup final with the Gunners in a fortnight and an FA Cup quarter final against Liverpool.

It's up to the manager now to lift them after such a devastating blow. It remains to be seen if it'll be the second trophyless season on the bounce for City and, if it is, then what?

Emily Brobyn is regularly on BBC Radio Manchester - find all their Man City audio here

Manchester manager Pep Guardiola in his news conference after defeat at Real Madrid: "I don't think we have much chance, but I have to say, of course, we're going to try. We'll be there, we'll try with our people, and, again, we'll do our best to be more active in the final third, and we'll try. Obviously 3-0 is better than four. A tough result. We cannot deny it. The quality they have with Valverde, a difficult result. Six days, we recover and we will try again."

Speaking to TNT Sports after the 3-0 defeat: "I had a feeling that we were better than the result said... But the result is here. We have one week and then we will see them at the Etihad."

On his side's chances of mounting a comeback: "Now we recover mentally and physically and go to West Ham. We will see. We will be with our people - I'm pretty sure they will come - and in football you never know. We will try."

Did you know?

• Manchester City have lost six of their 10 away games in the Champions League since the start of last season (W3 D1) – only Club Brugge (7) have lost more in the competition in this period.

• Pep Guardiola saw his side concede three first half goals for just the fifth time in his managerial career (4x with Man City, 1x Bayern Munich), with this the first time since April 2022 in the FA Cup versus Liverpool (3).

You can listen to Guardiola on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Champions League game between Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Rico: Let's not kid ourselves, City have flattered to deceive for far too long. Yes, a major rebuild is needed - players are simply not good enough. Good enough for Premier League, not good enough for Europe's elite.

Essy: Great finishing from Valverde. City created chances but there was nobody there to take them. West Ham at the weekend is more important. Can't understand why we try to score perfect goals instead of shooting on sight. Real did their homework against City's high line. I think this tie was over by half time.

Graham: Out-ran, out-thought, out-played and out of the competition. We got exactly what we deserved, absolutely nothing.

Mark: Our defence looked like they were going to concede every time Real attacked! Also Pep keeps playing Savinho but he is simply not reliable enough.

Paul: Woeful performance by City, stemming from the manager's team selection. Ridiculous set-up by Pep.

Ian: It's about time someone told Haaland he's a centre-forward. Three balls across the six yard box in the first 12 minutes of the game and he was nowhere to be seen. It happens every game with regularity. Kane would bury at least half of them.

Jonathan: Pedestrian again…

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha thinks both his former club and Chelsea face too much of an uphill battle to progress in the Champions League.

Both face three-goal deficits going into home legs, with Onuoha stating: "While they will have the belief they can do it, I think the margins are far too big. So while the game is still on for all the English sides, the margin of error is tiny for some of them now."

Their defeats come during a week in which English sides have struggled in Europe, with no wins recorded across six ties.

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty said we have seen "24 hours in which the Premier League's self-styled reputation as the best in the world suffered heavy damage".

"The Premier League's power was supposedly emphasised by having six teams in the last 16 following the league stage, but this was something of a cold shower hosed on talk of its supremacy," McNulty wrote.

All six English teams have now been given a lower predicted chance of reaching the last eight by Opta than before the last-16 first legs.

Arsenal remain favourites to progress, while Liverpool stay second favourites despite trailing by a goal after the first leg.

Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson says Manchester City had "no reply" to "clinical" Real Madrid in Wednesday's 3-0 Champions League round of 16 first leg defeat in the Bernabeu.

"Manchester City were in a lot better place going into this game than Real Madrid were," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"You look at the injury list for Madrid, they are ravaged. Their bench is almost like an academy side.

"We spoke to Spanish media before the game and the word was the club are not in a great place at the moment and nowhere near the place a club like this is expected to be at. Then they turn in a performance like that.

"It certainly wasn't the squad the manager would have liked to pick from but they approached this in a way where they were clinical.

"They sat in their defensive shape at times and hit City on the counter-attack and they had no reply to that.

"A comeback would be spectacular but we have seen them do it before. They have got the ability but at the Etihad they are going to have to be open, expansive, and chase the game.

"By doing that they leave themselves susceptible on the counter and we've seen tonight how Real can exploit those City weaknesses."

Madrid's three goals were all scored by Federico Valverde, who doubled his tally for the season in one night.

"Valverde is the type of player who can play in any position," Robinson added.

"If your left-back didn't show up you wouldn't be worried because he can slot in. He is so versatile, he's got everything and showed his quality tonight."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester City and Belgium winger Jeremy Doku, 23, will seek assurances over his long-term future at the Premier League club with Atletico Madrid monitoring his situation. (Teamtalk)., external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Gabby Logan presents highlights of the first-leg ties from the Champions League round of 16. Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle are the six Premier League clubs in action alongside 15-time winners Real Madrid, current holders Paris Saint-Germain and surprise package Bodo/Glimt

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Real Madrid 3-0 Man City

• Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal

• Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool

• Newcastle 1-1 Barcelona

• Atletico Madrid 5-2 Tottenham

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Before this meeting at the Bernabeu, City and Real Madrid had met 15 times in the Champions League, with results split evenly between wins, losses and draws.

Guardiola must now inspire one of the greatest comebacks of his reign if City are to maintain their interest in Europe's elite competition.

It all started well, with Jeremy Doku posing an early threat to Trent Alexander-Arnold, but once City conceded the first goal, which they will regard as soft, Real grew in confidence as they were roared on by their followers in this magnificent arena.

The hosts ensured Erling Haaland was anonymous, although the Norwegian forward was also starved of the service he usually thrives on.

Guardiola selected a side full of attacking intent, but City were done as Real raced through an open midfield and picked holes in their defence.

City had their opportunities, but faced the usual barrier of Courtois, especially when he miraculously saved with his leg after O'Reilly robbed Thiago in the area.

The fact that they had their chances will give City hope of mounting a comeback in the second leg, but this was a hugely disappointing loss and the experienced Champions League campaigners of Real Madrid will feel quietly confident of progress.