Man City on brink of title as Chelsea tighten grip on fourth place
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Manchester City were on the brink of clinching the Premier League title after a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace yesterday, while Chelsea maintained their hold on fourth place after beating Fulham by the same scoreline.
Pep Guardiola’s side moved 13 points clear at the top thanks to second-half goals from Sergio Aguero and Ferran Torres at Selhurst Park.
City will be crowned English champions for the third time in four seasons if second-place Manchester United lose at home to Liverpool today.
If United avoid defeat, City can seal the title with a victory against Chelsea at Etihad Stadium next Saturday.
City, who surrendered the title to Liverpool last season, overcame a mediocre first half with two goals in 84 seconds.
Aguero, making only his sixth league start of an injury-plagued season, broke the deadlock in the 57th minute when he ran onto Benjamin Mendy’s long pass and slammed a half-volley into the roof of the net from 10 yards.
It was only his fourth goal of what will be his final season with City, after the club’s record scorer announced he will leave in the closed season.
Spanish forward Torres gave a glimpse of his potential when he fired home from the edge of the area after a flowing City attack in the 59th minute.
That was enough to seal an 11th-successive away victory in the Premier League, equalling the English top flight record.
City were languishing in 14th place in late November but a blistering run since then has carried them to the brink of a third title in four seasons.
The treble chasers could also add the Champions League to that haul.
On Tuesday, City will attempt to reach their first Champions League final when they defend a 2-1 lead in the semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-germain.
“We can start to think about it and put it in the fridge. The Premier League is already there, it is in our hands. We need one more victory,” Guardiola said.
“I’m absolutely delighted with that after the Champions League. We could not play with much rhythm; we struggled a little bit but in the second half we deserved it.
“I will check on the Liverpool game. It’s in our hands and now we will give everything to beat PSG.”
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz’s double saw Chelsea beat struggling Fulham in the west London derby as they warmed up for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid with a convincing win.
The German playmaker scored in each half at Stamford Bridge to lift Chelsea six points clear of fifth-place West Ham in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top four finish.
West Ham, who have a game in hand, play Burnley on Monday.
Havertz, played in by Mason Mount’s impressive through ball, opened the scoring in the 10th minute and he sealed victory with a fine finish shortly after half-time.
Defeat left Fulham in the relegation zone and nine points shy of safety.
Brighton, however, all but assured themselves of Premier League survival with a 2-0 win at home to Leeds.
The south coast side broke a three-game goal drought when they took the lead through Pascal Gross’s 14th-minute penalty after Ezgjan Alioski brought down Danny Welbeck.
Graham Potter’s side struck again through Welbeck’s excellent solo effort in the 79th minute.
The Seagulls are now 10 points clear of the relegation zone with four games left.
Everton, pushing for European qualification, host Aston Villa in Saturday’s final top flight match.
if they are to beat the drop.
Derby led through Tom Lawrence’s 48th-minute header but Morgan Whittaker equalised just after the hour mark and Connor Roberts scored Swansea’s winner three minutes later.
Rotherham boosted their own survival hopes thanks to Lewis Wing’s late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Blackburn.
The result means Rotherham need at least three points from their last two away games at Luton and Cardiff if they are to have a chance of staying up.
Bottom-of-the-table Wycombe maintained their slim hopes of avoiding relegation with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth thanks to Uche Ikpeazu’s fourth-minute goal, although they still need an extraordinary combination of results to remain in the Championship.