Manchester City moved closer to their third consecutive Premier League title following an emphatic 3-0 away win over relegation-threatened Everton. Second-placed Arsenal were conversely beaten 3-0 by Brighton at the Emirates Stadium.
A brace by IIkay Gundogan helped the Cityzens move four points clear of closest rivals, Arsenal.
As usual, City controlled the game from kick off but only managed to break the deadlock in the 37th minute when Gundogan acrobatically shot Riyad Mahrez’s assist into the net to put Pep Guardiola’s side upfront. Barely two minutes later, the Germany international assisted free-scoring Erling Haaland to double the lead.
The Norwegian’s header was his 36th goal Premier League goal for City this season, setting an EPL’s all-time record for the most league goals scored in a single season, a record which the former Borussia Dortmund star first set with his 35th strike last weekend.
Six minutes after the break, Gundogan sealed the victory for the visitors with a perfectly executed freekick. The scoreline remained the same for the rest of the match as Manchester City moved closer to their third league title at a stretch, a feat that has only been achieved by Manchester United under Alex Ferguson.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s hope to end their 23-year league title drought might just have come to an end after a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to European football chasing Brighton, giving Manchester City, who have a game in hand, the chance to clinch the league as soon as next week.
Three second half goals by Julio Enciso only six minutes after the break, Deniz Undav’s own in the 86th minute and Pervis Estupinan’s first Premier League’s goal landed a devastating blow on Arsenal, who had top the league table for most parts of this season as the Gunners’ fans left the stadium in their numbers in disappointment.
The result gives way for Manchester City to win the league title as soon as Saturday even without kicking the ball – a defeat in the Gunners’ next game away at Nottingham Forest would ensure City win the title. Also, a win for Pep Guardiola’s team in their next match against Chelsea on Sunday would see City clinch its fourth league title in five years.
