Pablo Zabaleta hopes Manchester City retain their Premier League crown this season.
Pep Guardiola’s men trail leaders Liverpool by one point with ten games to go.
Sergio Aguero’s second-half penalty condemned Zabaleta’s West Ham to a 1-0 defeat in Manchester on Wednesday night.
And Zabaleta, who won two Premier League titles during a nine-year spell at the Etihad, is supporting his former club in the title race.
He said: ”It looks like it will be between City and Liverpool until the end.
“I know it is going to be tough. Liverpool seem like they are also really focused on the Premier League and they won 5-0 against Watford.
“But obviously I wish for Manchester City to win.
“It is always special to come back to the Etihad. I wish them all the best until the end of the season. There are still three big competitions to play for and I hope they can win all of them.”
Former City right-back Zabaleta, 34, was given a huge ovation as he appeared as a second-half substitute, while the former manager Manuel Pellegrini was also given a good hand.
Zabaleta, who was given a lifetime season-ticket at City when he left in 2017, said: “It was really special.
“I am always happy to share the love from Manchester City fans. I spent nine seasons here at the club and so that was a really nice moment.”