Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City's Premier League title hopes remain alive despite falling nine points behind Arsenal after a 1-1 draw at West Ham. The City manager rowed back on his previous statement that dropping points would end their challenge, telling TNT Sports: "No, it's not over. We didn't lose. We continue."

Guardiola acknowledged multiple issues plaguing his team, including inconsistent performances and struggles breaking down defensive opponents. City's 3-0 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid followed by the West Ham stalemate has left their European and domestic campaigns hanging by a thread. The team has failed to replicate their FA Cup demolition of Newcastle, where they impressed without Erling Haaland due to injury.

The Norwegian striker's goal drought represents City's most pressing concern. Haaland has scored just three goals in his past 12 Premier League games after netting 19 times in his first 17 appearances. Guardiola emphasized the need for Haaland's clinical finishing, noting: "We need his goals. We need to create more." With eight games remaining, City must rediscover their attacking threat to mount any realistic title challenge.