Man City's Premier League title hopes are hanging by a thread after a 1-1 draw at West Ham left them nine points off Arsenal with a game in hand - and saw the hosts celebrate moving out of the relegation zone.
Pep Guardiola had said in the build-up that "if we drop points, it will be over" and, after earlier on Saturday, the suspended City boss watched from the stands as his side failed to find a winner against a stubborn West Ham. Speaking after the game, he rowed back: "It's not over because we didn't lose."
But his side face a monumental task now.
Missing magic in the final third, ponderous in their build-up and exposed from a set-piece at the back - there was no evidence City can now respond and go on the winning run required to reel in Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders.
There will be hope a Carabao Cup final win at Wembley over the Gunners next Sunday could shift the psychology but City also have an unlikely salvage job against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
This could be the period where three chances of silverware slip out of their hands.
After dropping points at home to Nottingham Forest last time out in the league, this was must-win. It started how they would have hoped. City completely dominated possession and territory in east London and Bernardo Silva's mishit cross looped in over Mads Hermansen just after the half-hour, apparently putting them on course for the required three points.
But Gianluigi Donnarumma's flap at a Jarrod Bowen corner just four minutes later allowed Konstantinos Mavropanos to head in a swift equaliser. It was West Ham's only shot of the game - and they clung on desperately in the second half to a precious point which moves them to a safe position for the first time since December. They will now have eyes on Nottingham Forest vs Fulham, live on Your Site, on Sunday.
Another mishit cross - this time Rayan Cherki's free-kick - was as close as City came to a second, with the ball grazing the bar, and Marc Guehi skied a last-gasp look at goal. But West Ham were also helped by Erling Haaland's continued struggles in front of goal.
He has scored against West Ham more than any other Premier League opponent but couldn't hide his frustration when he scuffed wide one of several chances which came his way. Haaland and City are not at the level right now - and Arsenal now have every right to believe the crown will be theirs.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to TNT Sports, asked if the title race is over:
"It's not over. Because we didn't lose."
On Erling Haaland's struggles: "The lack of goals, we miss him of course. I always believe it's the connections and many things create the good interactions. But Erling, we need his goals.
"We need to create more, like in the [first half] he has three chances there. We have to create that threat that sometimes we didn't have.
"He will be back."
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to TNT Sports:
"We did a good performance and we achieved something really important for us, that again, the fans were with us. I feel proud of seeing their players suffering and doing everything that they can."
On being out of the relegation zone: "Doesn't change because I think recently, we have this belief in ourselves, that we can compete well, and again, we prove that doesn't mean much, but it is always good."
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen speaking to TNT Sports:
"When you play Man City, you need to be perfect without the ball and I thought we defended really, really well. Mads was brilliant in goal, the back five, everyone. And it's a really vital point for us.
"If we focus on ourselves and putting in good performances, pick up points, we don't need to worry about anyone else."
