Arsenal return to EPL top, City stay close with Villa rout
The three-way race for the English Premier League title looks likely to go down to the wire after wins for Arsenal and Manchester City made it even tighter at the top.
Arsenal moved back to the summit by beating Luton 2-0, while City routed Aston Villa 4-1 to go level, on points with second-place Liverpool.
Just one point separates the top three teams in what is shaping up to be the most compelling title fight in recent history, but three-time defending champion City have the pedigree.
“If we are in and around it with 10 games to go then we know we are capable,” said City forward Phil Foden, who scored a hat-trick against Villa. “We are in and around it again. It is still possible. We must keep believing. That was what the manager was big on today, believe and fight until the end.”
Liverpool had taken advantage of their two rivals drawing 0-0 on Sunday and moved two points clear at the top.
By the end of yesterday’s games, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were playing catch-up to Arsenal again and were ahead of City only on goal difference – even if they have a game in hand on both; at home to last-place Sheffield United today.
ARSENAL LEAD
The question for Arsenal is whether they can go the distance after falling away so badly at the end of last season.
The Londoners led the table for 248 days before eventually being overtaken by City, who won their third title in a row and completed a treble of trophies, including the Champions League and FA Cup.
Mikel Arteta’s players have already improved headto-head against City – winning and drawing against the defending champions. It remains to be seen how they handle the pressure with just eight league games left.
While Arsenal were expected to beat relegationthreatened Luton at home, there was always the potential for a slip.
That never looked likely after Martin Odegaard opened the scoring in the 24th minute and an own goal from Daiki Hashioka in the 44th made it 2-0 by halftime.
FODEN THRILLS
No Erling Haaland, no problem.
Foden justified Guardiola’s decision to leave his leading scorer on the bench by netting a stunning hat-trick as City powered to a 4-1 win against Villa.
Guardiola had described Haaland as the best striker in the world after he had been criticised by former Manchester United captain and now TV analyst Roy Keane. It was a surprise to see the league’s top scorer left out of City’s starting line-up in a game of such importance.
In his absence, Foden provided the goals with three supremely taken strikes.
“His work ethic is amazing,” Guardiola said. “He plays in central positions and has an incredible sense of goal – he has goals in his veins and we have to use him.”
Meanwhile, in the day’s other match, Brentford’s winless run extended to eight games after a 0-0 draw against Brighton.