Liverpool were held 1-1 by Man City in a game that saw many missed chances on either side.
The game ending in draw is not really a great result for either side - but is probably a fair one given that both teams had so many chances to score, with Adam Lallana, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling all guilty of fluffing their lines.
James Milner gave Liverpool the lead from the penalty spot after Gael Clichy's clumsy challenge on FIrminho. But City responded well despite looking out of the contest for a short period after that goal, with Aguero equalising from a fantastic cross by Kevin De Bruyne.
Sergio Aguero continued his fine goalscoring run to rescue a point for Manchester City in a thrilling encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
Former City star James Milner proved a point by putting Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot in the 51 minute, after Gael Clichy had upended Roberto Firmino.
But Aguero took his goal tally to seven in as many games with his 69th-minute strike, turning the ball in from Kevin De Bruyne’s dangerous cross.
The draw did neither team any favours in their desire to move closer to the security of a top-four finish, with fifth-placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand, the real winners.
The failure of either side to take maximum points means United can go ahead of Liverpool if they win their game in hand, though one of them is the small matter of the Manchester derby against City.
Pep was really happy with his side’s performance. He said in a post-match interview:
After defeat in the Champions League, we had two days where we were so so sad.
Liverpool had one week to prepare.
But how we fight! How we respond!
One of the happiest days of my life as a manager.
And the way we played.
We concede some chances, but we created.
Our problem was we couldn’t score goals, but they were easy goals and when this happens there’s nothing you can do.
Wait what? The two-time Champions League winner says this was one of his best days?!
One of the best days of my coaching career because when you approach one game when you’re ten games in a row winning it’s nothing special.
But which conditions did we play today after going out of the champions league, against one of the top teams and how we played against them.
How we played with this character.
I’m so happy here, always we play to win, always we play to attack, always we play to respecting our spectators.
So are you happier with your squad than you expected to be?
I know them they know me. But of course we are going to make changes, but not what people say.
But the fact how happy I am to working with these guys, nothing change.
Don’t ask me, that’s to the referees. They have to speak to each other.
Jose Mourinho would never have admitted it and would have probably feigned indifference if asked but a draw here was arguably the best possible result for him and his side, one that has breathed new life into their hopes of securing a top-four place and Champions League football.
Aguero breaks top-seven duck
Going into the game, Sergio Aguero had failed to score against any of the top seven sides in the Premier League this season, the highest-placed team he scored against being eighth-placed West Brom. But Aguero broke that run with his 69minute goal, his seventh strike in as many games, since winning back his place following the enforced loss of Brazilian wonderkid Gabriel Jesus.
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