As it was, West Ham followed the path of so many David Moyes sides before them by dropping deeper and deeper, inviting pressure and, inevitably, conceding. Had that gone in – or had Bowen not slightly selfishly dragged an effort into the side-netting when he might have squared it a minute earlier – this might still have been a costly afternoon for City. The pivotal moment, in the end, came after 65 minutes with the score at 2-1 as Antonio, inadvertently sent clean through by Fernandinho, pulled his chip over Ederson just wide. This has been a run-in with at least a few twists and turns, with the possibility of one more to come. If they do hold on to defend the title, this will have been far harder won than the title of 2018-19, when City and Liverpool each cantered to win after win over the final two months of the season. But this at least was a proper examination, they had to pass a test of their character and will have another one next Sunday. They did not, and a draw should still be enough. Were they really going to blow it in such a characteristic way? City’s press was shaky, their willingness to compete for second balls limited. Photograph: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Getty Images Riyad Mahrez misses the penalty that would have made it 3-2 to Manchester City. And when the ball was belted forward, when the space behind City’s characteristically high line was tested, Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen went galloping gleefully after it. It wouldn’t quite be true to say West Ham were 2-0 up at half‑time by mistake, but there was an odd sense that the pressure that is usually induced by City’s domination of the ball simply wasn’t there. One team was relaxed, one was not and, for a time, that threatened a serious upset. Maybe they’ll qualify for the Europa League again, may have to be content with the Europa Conference League, but the distinction is never going to generate the sort of tension that might have impinged on the general good humour. There have been memorable wins over Liverpool and Chelsea, a Europa League run that will be talked about for years and a sense that the London Stadium has at last come to feel like home. This has been another good year for West Ham. Even Prince Albert II of Monaco came to pay his respects. Pep Guardiola gave him a hug and a lengthy lecture at the final whistle. There were montages – “one of our own”, “Canning Town-born, claret-and-blue-raised”, “that Custom House grit” a voiceover from Danny Dyer Ben Shephard on the pitch testimony from fans, at least one of whom had named their dog after him clips of him in various scenarios in various seasons, hair magnificently consistent (his son, happily, seems to have inherited the family parting) and a minute’s applause in the 17th minute in celebration of his No 16 shirt.
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