CITY HAVE HOPES FOR TITLE: GUARDIOLA

He praises team's spirit despite Spurs draw, slams VAR for allowing Solanke's first goal

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Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City will keep fighting for the English Premier League title despite blowing a two-goal lead in a damaging 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Feb 1.

Guardiola's side raced ahead in north London thanks to first-half goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo. But City collapsed after the interval.

Dominic Solanke bundled home to reduce the deficit, kicking the back of City defender Marc Guehi's leg in the act of scoring, but the video assistant referee (VAR) reviewed the incident and the goal was allowed to stand.

City were unable to stem the tide of Tottenham pressure and Solanke produced a sensational scorpion kick equaliser from Conor Gallagher's cross.

Solanke's audacious back-flicked goal was a hammer blow to second-placed City, who now trail leaders Arsenal by six points.

Guardiola was left to bemoan Tottenham's first goal, saying: "If a central defender does it to a striker, it's a penalty.

"The game was well played and sometimes for long balls and second balls you miss it.

"We would prefer not to have the transition but an emotional issue for the first goal that the referee conceded to Spurs and after that, the momentum is difficult to control."