Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says his side will have to “fight until the end” in the race to secure a Champions League spot after slipping up on Saturday.
City could have taken a huge step towards sealing a top-five spot, but drew 0-0 at rock bottom Southampton.
They are now only two points above Newcastle and Chelsea – who meet on Sunday – plus Aston Villa, who beat Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
Seventh-placed Nottingham Forest, who play relegated Leicester on Sunday, are four points behind City.
After the Saints draw, Guardiola said his side had three cup finals left – including next weekend’s actual FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
“I didn’t expect differently from a month ago, that it’s a fight until the end,” he said.
City could find themselves outside the Champions League places before they play in the league again (against Bournemouth on Tuesday, 20 May) – because most of their rivals will have played once or twice before then.
Only champions Liverpool have sealed a Champions League place so far but second-placed Arsenal, who visit Anfield on Sunday, will hope to soon join them.
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