Michail Antonio cancels out Sadio Mane’s controversial opener after James Milner assisted from offside position

MANUEL PELLEGRINI did his old Manchester City mates a massive favour by blowing the title race wide open again.

West Ham’s deserved point against Premier League leaders Liverpool means that City will go top of the table if they beat Everton on Wednesday.

Liverpool took the lead through a controversial Sadio Mane goal on 22 minutes.

James Milner was clearly offside before laying on the assist for the Liverpool forward to score his 12th goal of the season.

But the Hammers equalised six minutes later through a brilliantly worked free-kick from which Michail Antonio fired in a low shot across goal.

Liverpool’s lead at the top is three points but second placed City have a superior goal difference so a victory at Goodison Park against out of form Everton will see them reclaim pole position.

West Ham boss Pellegrini, who led City to the title in 2014, said before kick off that as well as wanting victory for his current team, he would love nothing more than to help out his former workmates.

A particularly generous sentiment given he was replaced by current City boss Pep Guardiola.

West Ham midfielder Declan Rice almost won it for the home team when he headed narrowly wide from another precisely worked free kick three minutes before half time.

Hammers skipper Mark Noble also grazed the crossbar with 18 minutes to go as West Ham ended a run of three defeats which included an embarassing 4-2 FA Cup exit at League One Wimbledon.