Manchester City does not surrender in title race: Guardiola

Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City will continue to fight for the Premier League title despite blowing a two-goal lead in a damaging 2-2 draw against Tottenham on Sunday.

Guardiola’s side took the lead in north London thanks to first-half goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo.

But City collapsed after the break.

Dominic Solanke came home to reduce the deficit and kicked the leg of City defender Marc Guehi as he scored, but VAR reviewed the incident and the goal was allowed to stand.

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

Solanke’s audacious tap-back goal was a hammer blow for second-placed City, who are now six points ahead of leaders Arsenal.

Guardiola was left to rue Tottenham’s first goal, saying: “If a centre-back does this to an attacker, it’s a penalty.

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

“We would have preferred not to have made the switch, but there was an emotional issue with the first goal that the referee conceded to Spurs and after that the momentum was difficult to control.”

READ: Man City stunned as Solanke magic earns Tottenham a draw

Guardiola was shown a yellow card for his protests and looked in disbelief as the incident was played on big screens at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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

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

«With 14 games left to play? No matter what the odds are, the hope will always be there,» he said.

«I know that in these types of games in the past you always had to capitalize and win, but yes, there are difficulties in many things. But players come back and I saw an incredibly good spirit and many things.»

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«We suffered from injuries; a month ago we had a lot with nine or ten players, but at the same time we are there and the whole calendar is what it is.»

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

The Dane has faced calls for his sack in recent weeks, but leading Tottenham to the Champions League in the last 16 has given his side renewed belief.

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

«I’m extremely happy that we finally got a point in an important second half,» he said.

“I’ve said it before: this team’s ability to respond to adversity and show resilience – I think we’re growing it little by little.

“And by the way, we’re building it up with, I don’t know, players dropping left, right and center because of injuries.

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

Published on February 2, 2026