This was an afternoon that began in hope and ended in apathy for Manchester City. It initially gave the impression that, for the home fans at least, today was as much about passion and effort as anything else, an opportunity to put frustration aside and give Manuel Pellegrini a warm send-off. By full-time, more than half the crowd had poured out of the Etihad Stadium long before the manager took to the microphone to say his goodbyes.

The desire to see the City players simply give a good account of themselves quickly faded when the seriousness of the situation dawned: the chance of a top-four finish is now in Manchester United's hands.

City fans arrived here today hoping for a good result, to be able to say farewell to Pellegrini and, quite probably, a host of players. Pellegrini, who has known for months he will be replaced by Pep Guardiola, has had more than his fair share of critics this season, but there was plenty of goodwill in the air before kick-off. This was supposed to be an occasion to forget about the team's ills and celebrate one final rousing performance.

For so long it looked like the players would deliver. The hosts flew out of the traps and took the game to the Gunners. City have rarely struck early this season but Sergio Aguero's goal seemed to set up - if not a perfect farewell - then a cordial one. 

City, though, threw the lead away almost immediately when Gael Clichy nearly put through his own net in comical circumstances, only for Eliaquim Mangala to get caught under the corner and allow Olivier Giroud to nod in the equaliser anyway.

Still, City piled forward and, while it was not always perfect, perfection was not demanded. After witnessing 10 league defeats this season, and what was adjudged a meek surrender to Real Madrid in midweek, a bit of intensity seemed paramount for the supporters here.

At one point in the first half, they were wildly cheering a scrappy passage of play mainly consisting 50-50 tackles. It was evidence that, on too many occasions this season, there has not been the required heart or commitment for many observers.

By the final 20 minutes, though, that outlook was out of the window. Alexis Sanchez outwitted the City midfield and defence to cancel out Kevin De Bruyne's fine goal, leaving Pellegrini's men needing to find another goal to keep United at arm's length.

For so long it looked like the players would deliver. The hosts flew out of the traps and took the game to the Gunners. City have rarely struck early this season but Sergio Aguero's goal seemed to set up - if not a perfect farewell - then a cordial one. 

City, though, threw the lead away almost immediately when Gael Clichy nearly put through his own net in comical circumstances, only for Eliaquim Mangala to get caught under the corner and allow Olivier Giroud to nod in the equaliser anyway.

Still, City piled forward and, while it was not always perfect, perfection was not demanded. After witnessing 10 league defeats this season, and what was adjudged a meek surrender to Real Madrid in midweek, a bit of intensity seemed paramount for the supporters here.

At one point in the first half, they were wildly cheering a scrappy passage of play mainly consisting 50-50 tackles. It was evidence that, on too many occasions this season, there has not been the required heart or commitment for many observers.

By the final 20 minutes, though, that outlook was out of the window. Alexis Sanchez outwitted the City midfield and defence to cancel out Kevin De Bruyne's fine goal, leaving Pellegrini's men needing to find another goal to keep United at arm's length.

These players are not quite done yet: City must now go to Swansea and keep their fingers crossed that other teams do them a favour. Despite winning the League Cup and reaching the Champions League semi-final, this will go down as a disappointing season. The fans have voted with their feet.