On Wednesday, Kevin De Bruyne’s 4-1 win over Arsenal gave Manchester City the Premier League lead.
De Bruyne scored twice and set up John Stones’ goal before Erling Haaland completed City’s destruction at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s team have trailed surprising pacesetters Arsenal for most of the season, but the Gunners have choked over the last month while City have shown no signs of strain.
Second-placed City is currently two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand.
City will win a third straight title if they win six of their remaining seven matches.
After catching Arsenal with seven straight league wins, few would bet against them.
City, chasing a stunning treble, have won 13 of their last 14 games.
They played Manchester United in the FA Cup final last weekend and Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.
Arsenal, eight points ahead at the start of April, have lost their previous four league games while City seeks a sensational finish.
Arsenal’s third loss against City in 2023 might end their championship ambitions after 19 years.
Mikel Arteta’s youthful team has lost its nerve at the worst possible time, with three consecutive draws, two squandered two-goal leads, and their first loss in 11 league games.
De Bruyne started the demolition in the seventh minute when he received Haaland’s clever cross and sprinted towards the Arsenal area before slamming a low shot past Aaron Ramsdale from 20 yards.
Stones headed in De Bruyne’s free-kick on the stroke of halftime to reward City’s relentless pressure. VAR overturned the offside call.
Record-breaker Haaland –
De Bruyne scored again from Haaland’s assist in the 54th minute to put Imperious City in charge.
Arsenal’s 86th-minute Rob Holding goal didn’t help.
Haaland scored his 49th goal in all competitions and 33rd in the league with almost the last kick of the game, breaking Mohamed Salah’s 38-game Premier League record.
Haaland is expected to break Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s 34-goal Premier League record.
Brentford defeated Frank Lampard’s Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard, who replaced Graham Potter till the rest of the season, has failed to revive Chelsea, who were booed out at full-time.
