Manchester City won 3-0 at Everton on Sunday, moving four points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League standings. Ilkay Gundogan scored two excellent goals and set up Erling Haaland for another.
Pep Guardiola’s treble-chasing side has 85 points and a game in hand over Arsenal. Who were thrashed 3-0 at home by Brighton & Hove Albion later on Sunday.
Arsenal currently has 81 points after 36 games.
Everton remained in serious difficulty, sitting in 17th place with 32 points, just above the relegation zone.
Guardiola walked across the Goodison Park pitch to the loud City fans and put out two fingers to represent the number of wins. He believed City would need to win the Premier League.
On the other hand, Arsenal’s defeat to Brighton means they will clinch the title with a win against Chelsea next Sunday. Or even sooner if their title rivals lose to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
“We took control of the game from the first minute,” the Spaniard told the BBC. “It was a fantastic performance towards the end of the season…
“We were in command of the game. We waited and attacked the spaces. Gundogan’s arrival in the box is incredible. “This is extremely important.”
Gundogan adds to win
Gundogan scored in the 37th minute after bringing down Riyad Mahrez’s cross in a swarm of Everton defenders. And flicking a blind shot past keeper Jordan Pickford. Two minutes later, Haaland headed in Gundogan’s cross to set a new Premier League scoring record of 36 goals in a single season.
Soon after halftime, Gundogan doubled City’s lead with a curling free kick that soared over Everton’s wall and into the net.
City, who drew 1-1 with Everton at the Etihad Stadium this season, have won seven consecutive games at Goodison Park.
In the first half, the champs produced multiple scoring chances. Including two quick corners that failed to produce shots before being rewarded for their efforts.
Haaland missed a late chance for a second goal with a fantastic bicycle kick.
Everton also had chances. Mason Holgate fired a close-range attempt just wide. He buried his face in disgust after James Tarkowski smacked the crossbar.
Guardiola’s team has a short turnaround before hosting Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
Last week, the teams tied 1-1 in Madrid.
Brighton crushed Arsenal’s title dreams.
Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes were all but killed on Sunday after they were thrashed 3-0 at home by Europe-chasing Brighton & Hove Albion.
Manchester City won at Everton earlier to pull four points clear. Long-time league leaders Arsenal knew only a win would suffice.
However, they performed laboured against the clever south coast club. They were outplayed after the break as Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav, and Pervis Estupinan scored for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, putting City on the verge of clinching the title.
Brighton climbed to sixth position, with games in hand on the teams around them.
In the first half, Arsenal’s former Brighton attacker Leandro Trossard hit the crossbar. Still, Arsenal looked dejected after Enciso scored in the 51st minute and crestfallen when Undav lobbed over Aaron Ramsdale in the 86th minute.
Estupinan sealed Arsenal’s fate in stoppage time, much to the excitement of Brighton fans, who will soon be witnessing the club’s maiden foray into European play.
Arsenal have 81 points with two games remaining to City’s 85 with three, meaning a victory for Pep Guardiola’s team against Chelsea next Sunday would secure City’s fifth title in six seasons.
The city might even win it before Arsenal if they lose to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Brighton now has 58 points with four games remaining.
“Honestly, it appears difficult now; we must be realistic.” “I don’t think City will make too many errors now,” Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard remarked.
“I don’t have a good feeling right now.” To be honest, I don’t know what happened with the manner we performed, especially in the second half. It appears that there is no hope left.”