Manchester City beat Arsenal to take control of Premier League title race

LONDON: Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday to move into a commanding position in the Premier League title race, while Liverpool boosted their hopes of securing a Champions League place with a derby win over Everton.

Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, had spent months at the top of the standings but have faltered at a crucial stage in their attempt to win the English league title for the first time in 22 years.

City went ahead through a fine strike from Rayan Cherki before Kai Havertz brought Arsenal level after capitalising on a major mistake by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Erling Haaland then scored the decisive goal in the 65th minute.

Arteta was left on his knees in the closing stages after Havertz headed over from a clear opportunity to equalise in front of City’s celebrating supporters.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s side would go top of the table if they beat Burnley, described as lowly, in their midweek fixture. City are now well placed to claim a seventh Premier League crown in nine seasons, while Arsenal are facing the possibility of ending as runners-up for a fourth consecutive year.

Guardiola, however, said the situation could still change quickly.

They're in the semi-finals of the Champions League, didn't lose one game. Momentum shifts in one instant,

he told Sky Sports. He added,

They know it.

The City manager said,

I have a lot of respect but, of course, we want to win. We fought a lot as well.

He also said,

For many players today, they fought for the first time for the Premier League and they felt the pressure a little bit.

Guardiola added,

Performances were not top but that is normal, it's the process.

Only a few weeks ago, Arsenal were competing strongly on four fronts, but their campaign has since suffered setbacks. They lost to City in the League Cup final and were eliminated from the FA Cup by second-tier Southampton, though they have reached the Champions League semi-final, where they will face Atletico Madrid.

The north London side have lost only seven of their 55 matches in all competitions this season, but four of those defeats have come in their last six games.

Arteta said Arsenal had come close but failed to take a major chance.

We went very close but not close enough and now we have to accept we lost an opportunity today, a big one, but there are still five games to go,

he said. He added,

We need to reset and go again because there are a lot of positives to take from the game.

The Arsenal manager also said,

We have full belief that we can do it. Today we showed again the team that we are. It's in our hands and it's there for the taking.

Liverpool strengthen top-five push

Earlier in the day, Virgil van Dijk scored in the 100th minute to give Liverpool a 2-1 victory in the Merseyside derby.

Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead, but Beto equalised early in the second half for Everton. Liverpool’s win in their first game at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium moved the fifth-placed side seven points clear of Chelsea, who are sixth.

Van Dijk said the result was significant in the race for Champions League qualification.

Today was massive in the situation that we are, in the hunt for the Champions League spots,

he said. He added,

That is definitely not Liverpool-worthy, in my opinion, but it is the reality and it was important we got the win.

Villa, Forest and relegation battle

Fourth-placed Aston Villa let a two-goal lead slip against Sunderland before Tammy Abraham scored in stoppage time to seal a 4-3 victory. Ollie Watkins scored twice for Villa, who moved onto 58 points, level with third-placed Manchester United and three ahead of Liverpool.

At the bottom end of the table, Morgan Gibbs-White hit a hat-trick as Nottingham Forest recovered from behind to beat Burnley 4-1, increasing the pressure on Tottenham.

Forest, who are battling relegation alongside West Ham and Tottenham, are now five points above 18th-placed Spurs. Wolves and Burnley are described as almost certainly doomed. West Ham, one point above Tottenham, are due to play Crystal Palace on Monday.