Jack Grealish digs in to leave Man City with a simple truth in title race

Manchester City defended really badly at West Ham. Really, really badly. They went in 2-0 behind at half-time and were fortunate not to concede in the second half as they were either cut to shreds or self-imploded time after time to let West Ham in and give Liverpool hope in the title race.

The Blues have been at least two goals behind at the break on 52 previous occasions in the Premier League and on 51 of those occasions have gone on to lose the game. History was not on their side.

However, a team that have been laughably accused of lacking character in recent weeks went and turned up again, fighting their way back into the game with only Riyad Mahrez's penalty miss preventing an unprecedented comeback for a team that has made a habit of setting personal bests.

Also read: Man City defy history to grab a vital title race point

It wasn't the three points they wanted, but the comeback should help to settle any nerves jangling for the final day, giving them the cushion of a point that means they just have to think about beating Aston Villa rather than worrying about goal difference or a play-off.

City's difficulties against West Ham are a style issue more than (if at all) a mentality issue. City didn't struggle here because they felt the pressure of the Premier League title being so close, they struggled because West Ham are better set up to do well against them than most other teams in the league.

Palace, Spurs, Liverpool, and Southampton had accounted for all of City's dropped points before this game, taking points off them in both league meetings. And while West Ham lost at the Etihad, they did become the first team in five years to beat the Blues in the Carabao Cup when they won their game here back in October.

Jack