LONDON: Erling Haaland needed only nine minutes to keep Manchester City on Arsenal’s heels at the top of the table.

Haaland returned from injury in the 62nd minute at Nottingham Forest before scoring the decisive second goal in a 2-0 win. Kevin de Bruyne provided the assists for both Josko Gvardiol’s first-half opener as well as Norwegian’s 21st league goal.

City were not at their best in their fifth successive win but Stefan Ortega was able to celebrate a clean sheet after substituting the injured Ederson at halftime. City and Arsenal are at home next Saturday, to Wolves and Bournemouth respectively. Arsenal have the better goal difference but City have a match in hand.

Arsenal resisted a second-half Tottenham fightback to maintain top spot in a game of two Germans.

Hosts Tottenham’s plans in a 3-2 defeat were disrupted by the loss of Timo Werner after an early hamstring injury. Kai Havertz, by contrast, scored the Gunners’ second goal and provided the assist for a third from Bukayo Saka.

Havertz has scored eight goals and provided six assists in his last 11 Premier League games.

Arsenal led 3-0 at halftime but goalkeeper David Raya gifted a goal to Cristian Romero before a Heung-min Song penalty set up a dramatic finale. Saka said: “Three games to go now and we’ll give it everything.”

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** Everton will play their last season at Goodison Park in the Premier League ahead of moving into their new stadium next year. A 1:0 defeat of Brentford ensured survival despite an eight-point penalty and amid uncertainty over the takeover by US investment company 777 Partners. Idrissa Gueye scored the crucial goal.

** Sheffield United’s relegation was confirmed by a 5:1 defeat at Newcastle. Leicester are already sure of promotion ahead of tonight’s [MON] game against Preston. Leeds and Ipswich are four points behind, contesting the other guaranteed promotion spot. Leeds have a better goal difference but Ipswich have a game in hand.

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