Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League for the first time since November with a 3-1 win at Arsenal in the biggest game of the season so far.
Goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland — a Bukayo Saka penalty equalised for the Gunners in the first-half — inflicted Arsenal’s first home defeat of the season and inflicted a huge dent in their hopes of winning the title for the first time since 2004.
The defeat extended Arsenal’s recent slump that has seen them claim just one point from their last three games.
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Rapid reaction
1. Arsenal slump lets Man City seize top of the table
Manchester City are now in pole position to retain the Premier League title and become only the fifth club in English football history to win three successive championships after a potentially-decisive 3-1 win at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s team had opened an eight-point lead at the top last month, but they are now second on goal difference following their first home defeat of the season.
And after collecting just one point from three games, the Gunners are now just five points clear of third-placed Manchester United in what has now become a three-way fight for the title.
But while Arsenal, who were without injured midfielder Thomas Partey, are now facing a battle to regain their form, City produced a performance of champions at the same time as delivering an ominous message to their rivals that they are still the team to beat.
Kevin De Bruyne’s stunning lob on 24 minutes, following a loose Takehiro Tomiyasu back-pass, gave City the lead before Bukayo Saka equalised from the penalty spot shortly before half-time after goalkeeper Ederson had fouled Eddie Nketiah.
The second half was dominated by City, but they had to wait until Jack Grealish’s deflected goal on 72 minutes before reclaiming the lead. From that point on, with Arsenal chasing an equaliser, it seemed that a third City goal was inevitable and it came on 82 minutes when Erling Haaland scored from close range after being teed up by De Bruyne.
With the two teams still to meet at the Etihad in April, the title race remains tight and unpredictable. But Arsenal’s task now is to make sure they are still in the race when they visit the Etihad rather than looking over their shoulder at United.
