After Manchester City's victory over Arsenal, it was a case of whoever blinks first might just miss out on the title. Well, on Monday night, the Sky Blues blinked and then some, once again failing to win a game in which they led. When Jérémy Doku spanked the Citizens in front on the cusp of half time, it felt like a bubble had burst at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with many Arsenal fans watching surely turning over to the snooker or anything else.
However, by the 81st minute, Everton led 3-1, with Marc Guéhi gifting them an equaliser, Jake O'Brien heading home a second and then Thierno Barry turning home Merlin Röhl errant shot. Erling Braut Håland did score straight away from kick off, before Doku lashed in an equaliser right at the death, but that point may not prove enough.
Pep Guardiola's team still have to face Brentford, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa but, if Arsenal win their three games, the Premier League trophy will be heading to North London. So, why might Man City be set for a second successive season without the title? Well, as noted by Squawka, the Sky Blues have dropped 12 points from winning positions in 2026, the most of any team in the Premier League.
Matches Man City have dropped points from winning positions 2026
- 4 May: Everton 3-3 Manchester City - led for 25 minutes.
- 14 March: West Ham United 1-1 Manchester City - led for 4 minutes.
- 4 March: Manchester City 2-2 Nottingham Forest - led for 41 minutes.
- 1 February: Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Manchester City - led for 42 minutes.
- 7 January: Manchester City 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion - led for 19 minutes.
- 4 January: Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea - led for 52 minutes.
Since the turn of the year, Man City have failed to win eight Premier League fixtures, taking the lead in six of them, before failing to go on and claim victory. They also lost a led during August's 2-1 defeat at Brighton, as well as September's 1-1 draw with Arsenal; how crucial could that prove to be?
So, where do the Citizens rank across the Premier League?
Premier League clubs most points dropped from winning positions 25/26
Clubs | Points dropped from winning position |
|---|---|
Newcastle United | 25 |
Bournemouth | 20 |
West Ham United | 20 |
Chelsea | 19 |
Crystal Palace | 19 |
Manchester City | 17 |
Brentford | 17 |
Leeds United | 17 |
Tottenham Hotspur | 17 |
Manchester United | 16 |
Note: Statistics courtesy of Football365.
Only five teams have relinquished more points from winning positions that Guardiola's side this season, of which four are enduring nightmare campaigns. Bournemouth the major exception. For comparison, Arsenal have dropped only nine points from winning positions, little over half Man City's tally.
The only games in which Mikel Arteta's team have led and not won are away at Sunderland, Brentford and Wolves, all draws, as well as the home defeat to Manchester United. So, how does this tally of 17 compare to previous Man City seasons?
Manchester City PL points dropped from winning positions by season
Season | Man City points dropped when winning | League rank |
|---|---|---|
2025/26 | 17 | 6th |
2024/25 | 16 | 12th |
2023/24 | 10 | 16th |
2022/23 | 16 | 10th |
2021/22 | 2 | 20th |
2020/21 | 13 | 11th |
2019/20 | 9 | 15th |
Note: Statistics courtesy of Football365.
In terms of where they rank among Premier League counterparts, this is by far Manchester City's worst season of relinquishing leads under Guardiola. Around their peak in 2021/22, when the Sky Blues got their noses in front, it was essentially game over. That season, only once did they go ahead and not win, this an enthralling 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the Etihad.
Well, this team are no longer as imperious nor as ominous as they once were, which may lead to a second successive season being a failure.
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