Howey: City still in the driving seat to seal Champions League place | OneFootball

Former City and England star Steve Howey says City still have our Champions League destiny in our own hands.

With nine games of the league season to go, the race for a top-four finish – and with it a guaranteed place in next season’s Champions League - couldn’t be tighter.

Saturday’s draw left City in fifth spot in the Premier League on 48 points, a point behind fourth-placed Chelsea and with Newcastle, Brighton, Aston Villa and Bournemouth also in the hunt.

Due to the success of English sides across Europe this term, fifth-place could well also secure a ticket to next term’s Champions League.

However, speaking on Saturday’s latest edition of Matchday Live, special guest Howey backed Guardiola’s side to stay the course and seal an outright top-four finish to ensure we are back at Europe’s top table next term.

“City are in the driving seat [for Champions League football],” the former City and Newcastle central defender declared.

“Looking at the manager’s comments before the game he spelled it out – our Champions League destiny is in our hands, but every game will be a cup final between now and the end of the season and that’s true.

WATCH: City 2-2 Brighton: Extended highlights

“It’s in our hands and it’s up to us to get the victories to ensure we get that spot.

“For me, I do think the top five teams as they are now will remain there – but maybe in a different order

“I do think we will end in third or fourth to guarantee we clinch the spot, but it is tight at the top.

“In terms of Saturday’s result, Brighton are a good team – they have had a really good season and are on a good run of form right now.

“They have a good manager and play really good counter-attacking football, especially away from home

“There are always going to be tough games, and I think in the end 2-2 was a fair result.”

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Amongst the positives from what was a compelling clash was another excellent display from January signing Omar Marmoush.

The Egyptian international striker won the first half penalty that was converted by Erling Haaland before then despatching a superb strike to send City in 2-1 ahead at the break.

For Howey it was just further evidence of the craft and hunger that marks the 26-year-old as a hugely exciting addition to City’s attacking armoury.

“I like him,” the former England international said of Marmoush.

“I liked what I saw of him before he came to City – he’s very, very direct and will shoot from anywhere.

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“I think that’s brilliant – yes, sometimes that clearly won’t come off but sometimes it does, and it catches goalkeepers out.

“The goal he scored on Saturday was a brilliant strike. He whipped it away from the goalkeeper and gave him absolutely no chance

“And he did the defender to win the penalty for Haaland to score

“He’s a very, very good player and he’s one I’m looking forward to seeing much more of.”