Pep Guardiola backtracks with new Premier League title race verdict after Man City lose ground on Arsenal | OneFootball

The Man City boss remains valiant despite his side dropping more points in the title race

Man City are now nine points behind Arsenal

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists the Premier League title race is not over, appearing to backtrack over his pre-match comments.

Dropping points against the Hammers was the exact scenario that Guardiola feared would be the final nail in City’s title bid.

Speaking on Friday in the pre-match press conference, Guardiola said: "West Ham. Now is West Ham.

"These kind of games it is hard. For many plans you have, it doesn't happen. You play the game you have to play and after the game will dictate whether you have a chance or not. It is difficult, yes.

"Not much dollars in the bank for us but we will see. Now is West Ham.

"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."

However, speaking to TNT Sports after the West Ham draw, which has left his side nine points behind Arsenal having played a game less, Guardiola said: “No it’s not over because we did not lose.

“We will continue, we have an incredible team and spirit. We fought after an incredible amount of effort in Madrid.

“Now is rest, I don’t know how many days I will give off to prepare for Madrid.

“We have a game in hand, we have the game at home, we have to try until the end. When it’s not possible, we congratulate the champion but we have to try it and hopefully the players and our fans can make the Etihad a special night.”