Arsenal, City win in two-way title race
Arsenal have survived a late scare at Tottenham to stay narrowly ahead in the compelling race for the English Premier League title.
A 3-2 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium yesterday ensured Mikel Arteta’s team remained at the top of the standings – but champions Manchester City then kept up the pressure by winning 2-0 at Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal remain one point clear at the top, having played a game more than City, but the advantage is still with Pep Guardiola’s team, who will clinch a fourth straight title if they win their remaining games this season.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal had to endure a nervous finish despite powering to 3-0 lead in a London derby that was supposed to be one of their biggest tests in the title chase.
“The last 20 minutes wasn’t nice, but it was worth it,’’ Arsenal forward Bukayo
Saka said afterwards. ”We know it is a big derby and they don’t want to lose 3-0 at home. Momentum shifted their way, but I am proud of the boys – we managed to get the three points.’’
An own-goal from Pierre-Emile Hojberg and further strikes from Saka and Kai Havertz put Arsenal into a commanding position at the break.
But in the face of a potential rout, Tottenham responded in the second half through Cristian Romero and a penalty from Son Heung-min in the 87th minute.
But Arsenal held on, putting the onus on City to respond, which they did with a victory over a Forest team desperately fighting for survival.
But without Phil Foden, who was ill, and Erling Haaland on the bench, Guardiola was without two of his big match-winners in the starting 11.
An injury to goalkeeper Ederson also forced City into a change at halftime, but City look to be in unstoppable form and the win extended their unbeaten record in the league to 19 games, dating back to a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa at the start of December.
Haaland, with a league-leading 21st goal, stepped off the bench to score the goal that effectively killed off Forest’s challenge.
Josko Gvardiol had headed City in front in the first half, but All Whites stirker Chris Wood had two clear chances from close range to score for Forest.
Without a win in their first nine league games this season, Bournemouth are now in the top half of the table, having set their own Premier League points record. A 3-0 win against Brighton, with goals from Marcos Senesi, Enes Unal and Justin Kluivert, moved Bournemouth up to 10th and on 48 points. – AAP