LONDON: Arsenal, in a rare twist of football fate, will be cheering on Tottenham on Tuesday. Only the Gunners’ north London neighbours can prevent Manchester City taking command of the Premier League lead heading into next Sunday’s final round of matches.
Manager Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, by defeating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford, remained one point ahead of the champions. But that could all change soon Then both title contenders will be expected to complete their programmes with a home win – Arsenal against Everton, City against West Ham.
Four times in the last 12 years the title race has gone to the last matchday. On all four occasions Manchester City ended up as champions.
Any prospect of injury-hit United upsetting the run-in faded when Leandro Trossard opening the scoring after 20 minutes. Kai Havertz, played onside by Casemiro, provided the right-wing assist. Casemiro, out of position again in the centre of United’s defence, was twice at fault. First he had been slow to run out of defence then he failed to cut out Havertz’s cutback.
United improved towards the end of a first half in which they had 53pc of possession. They continued to take the game to Arsenal after the interval. Alejandro Garnacho wasted two rare chances and Casemiro had a long-range shot easily saved by Raya. At the other end Andre Onana saved well from Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal’s second victory in their last 17 visits to Old Trafford left the future of United manager Erik ten Hag in ever greater doubt.
Manchester City remain favourites to secure a record fourth successive Premier League title after yet another ruthless performance in beating Fulham 4:0.
It is almost as if City’s hunger has been sharpened by the loss of their Champions Leaghue crown. They cannot wait to return to prove their right to their place among Europe’s elite.
They dealt easily with Fulham even though Erling Haaland was not at his sharpest in the goal area. Not that it mattered now that left back Josko Gvardiol has suddenly discovered the fun of goal scoring. Gvardiol struck twice with Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez (penalty) the others.
City could have scored more but for several fine saves by Bernd Leno and one awful miss from close range by Haaland.
When City bought Gvardiol last summer he was considered to be Europe’s best young left-sided centre back. He has now scored five goals in his last seven appearances for City after not scoring in any of his first 32 appearances. Not that he has entirely won over his manager. Pep Guardiola said: “Second half he didn’t play well. He has to be more tight on attackers.”
Foden’s goal was his 25th of the season in all competitions for City. He has thus become only the second English player to score 25 or more in a season for the club in the Premier League era after Raheem Sterling in 2018-19 (25) and 2019-20 (31).
** Daniel Farke held the advantage over David Wagner after Leeds accomplished a goalless draw away to Norwich in the first leg of the promotion semi-finals.
Both teams had lost form over the closing weeks of the season and played cautiously, creating few chances.
Farke, whose third-placed team had finished 17 points above his old club, said: “I’m happy. To get an away draw and a clean sheet, especially at a difficult ground, is always a good result. Our The longer the game went, the more control we had over the game.”
Wagner remained positive, saying: “It’s a result I can totally live with. The cards are still on the table. Nobody expected this semi-final to be decided after the first leg.”
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