MANCHESTER — Manchester City took charge of the Premier League title race on Wednesday after thrashing Arsenal 4-1 at Etihad Stadium.
Kevin De Bruyne scored once in each half either side of John Stones‘ 45th-minute header before Erling Haaland added a fourth in stoppage time, cutting the Gunners’ lead at the top to just two points with Pep Guardiola’s side still possessing two games in hand.
– Report: Man City thrash Arsenal to take charge of title race
City grabbed the initiative in the seventh minute when Erling Haaland fed De Bruyne in space and the Belgian playmaker curled home a fine effort from 20 yards. Haaland continued to cause Arsenal all manner of problems as goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was called into action on several occasions before the Gunners were undone by a set piece on the stroke of half-time.
De Bruyne swung in a free kick that Stones met at the far post with a header back across Ramsdale, a goal which was initially ruled out for offside before VAR David Coote intervened.
City remained in almost total control after half-time with Haaland and De Bruyne combining again for the home side’s third on 54 minutes. Holding briefly gave Arsenal hope with a side-footed finish from inside the box on 86 minutes but Haaland eventually got his goal at the death, collecting substitute Phil Foden‘s deflected pass before firing left-footed past Ramsdale.
City can move above Arsenal on Sunday with victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
