Manchester City dropped points for the seventh time in this Premier League season on Tuesday evening, with West Brom battling back to earn a point in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
City drew just three times in 2019/20 and lost nine times over the course of that season, but they had already drawn four times ahead of their Matchday 12 clash with the top flight newcomers.
Having disappointed in the weekend’s derby against Manchester United, Pep Guardiola’s side needed to show something more as they hosted The Baggies and they started well as Ilkay Gundogan put them in front with half an hour on the clock. Joao Cancelo had sent Raheem Sterling to the byline, and the Englishman cut back for the German to finish a nicely worked move.
Semi Ajayi thought he drew West Brom level, but the goal was put down as a Ruben Dias own goal as the ball deflected off the centre-back and past Ederson.
Gabriel Jesus had a chance to restore City’s lead in the second half, but couldn’t direct his effort goalward, before Sterling and Gundogan missed huge chances late on to seal the win.
The result sees City stay two points adrift of Chelsea, despite Frank Lampard’s side themselves slipping up with a loss to Wolves earlier on Tuesday evening.
