Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
City beat Brighton to stay ahead of Liverpool
MANCHESTER: Manchester City held their nerve to move back above Liverpool at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Brighton on Wednesday.
Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva all struck in the second half as City edged one point ahead in the title race with six games to go.
Guardiola recalled a number of key players he had left out for Saturday’s 3-2 FA Cup semi-final defeat by Liverpool, but it took City time to break Brighton’s resolve at a tense Etihad.
City captain Ruben Dias made his return from injury after a two-month absence at half-time.
The Portuguese’s return might have come at the perfect time for Guardiola as John Stones limped off in the second half just six days before the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
By the time Stones departed, City had the game won thanks to two goals in 12 minutes.
Kevin De Bruyne’s driving run through the heart of the Brighton defence teed up Mahrez, who did not pass up the chance to slot in his 23rd goal of the season. Any doubt over the outcome was removed once Foden’s deflected effort from a corner worked to the edge of the box gave City a two-goal cushion.
Silva added a third eight minutes from time with an exquisite finish from De Bruyne’s layoff at the edge of the area.
Arsenal stun Chelsea to keep top-four bid alive
LONDON: Eddie Nketiah boosted Arsenal’s bid for a top-four finish as the striker’s double inspired a dramatic 4-2 win against Chelsea on Wednesday.
Nketiah was released by Chelsea as a 16-year-old in 2015 and he exacted a measure of revenge with his first league goals this season. The 22-year-old put Arsenal ahead early on at Stamford Bridge before Timo Werner equalised.
Mikel Arteta’s side regained the lead trough Emile Smith Rowe, only for Cesar Azpilicueta to draw Chelsea level again.
Nketiah settled a pulsating London derby when he punished shambolic Chelsea defending in the second half and Bukayo Saka bagged the fourth with a stoppage-time penalty. After losing their last three games, Nketiah’s crucial contribution lifted Arsenal back into the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top-four finish.
The Gunners are in fifth place, behind fourth-placed Tottenham on goal difference with both teams having six games to play. “It’s a great night and the players deserve it. It has been a tough two weeks but you have to bounce back and show spirit,” Arteta said.