Football

Manchester City's relentless pursuit of a fourth consecutive Premier League title gained momentum with a resounding 4-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday. The triumph propelled City two points clear at the summit, intensifying the pressure on Arsenal, who face a daunting trip to Manchester United on Sunday.Josko Gvardiol, the Croatian defender, continued his remarkable scoring form, opening the scoring for City with a composed finish on his weaker right foot. Pep Guardiola's side dominated possession but struggled to convert their chances until Phil Foden netted his 25th goal of the season on the hour mark.Gvardiol then doubled his tally with a close-range finish from Bernardo Silva's cross, marking his fifth goal in his last seven appearances. The £77 million signing from RB Leipzig could have etched his name in Premier League history with a hat-trick when City were awarded a penalty in stoppage time. However, he selflessly allowed Julian Alvarez to take the spot-kick, who duly converted to complete the rout.Meanwhile, Burnley's Premier League fate was sealed with a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. Jacob Bruun Larsen had given the Clarets a shock lead, but Spurs rallied to secure a crucial victory that keeps their Champions League hopes alive. Pedro Porro and Micky Van de Ven scored the goals that condemned Burnley to relegation.Luton Town's return to the Championship was confirmed after a 3-1 loss at West Ham United. Albert Sambi Lokonga's early header had given Luton hope, but second-half strikes from James Ward-Prowse, Tomas Soucek, and George Earthy extinguished their Premier League dreams.The gulf between the Premier League and the Championship was further exposed as all three promoted clubs face relegation. Forest can confirm Luton's fate by avoiding defeat at home to Chelsea later on Saturday.Newcastle United missed the chance to strengthen their grip on European qualification after being held 1-1 by Brighton. Sean Longstaff canceled out Joel Veltman's opener, but Newcastle remain just three points clear of Chelsea and Manchester United, who have a game in hand.Crystal Palace's impressive form under Oliver Glasner continued with a 3-1 win at Wolves. Michael Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Eberechi Eze were on target for the Eagles, who climbed to 12th in the standings.Abdoulaye Doucoure scored the only goal as Everton edged out Sheffield United 1-0, while Yoane Wissa's 95th-minute winner snatched a 2-1 victory for Brentford at Bournemouth.

Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday dealt a significant blow to the latter's Champions League aspirations. Trevoh Chalobah's first goal since March 2022 gave Chelsea the lead in the first half, while Nicolas Jackson sealed the win in the closing stages.Tottenham's third consecutive defeat leaves them seven points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with four games remaining. The north Londoners are now considered outsiders to finish in the Premier League's top four.Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou expressed disappointment with his team's performance, citing a lack of belief and conviction. "We are not playing with the mindset we need," he said.Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino enjoyed a second win over his former club this season. "The first half was fantastic," he said. "All credit to the players. They really showed the way we want to build this."Chelsea's victory keeps alive their hopes of qualifying for Europe, while Tottenham's defeat further damages their Champions League ambitions.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged his team to remain grounded despite their narrow 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners escaped with a win thanks to VAR and a blistering first-half performance, but Tottenham's spirited second-half comeback served as a reminder of the challenges ahead.Arteta acknowledged the team's good fortune, stating, "We were lucky to escape with a win today. We have to be better." He emphasized the need for improvement, particularly in light of Tottenham's near-equalizer. "There's a margin for improvement, and we go again against Bournemouth," he added.Arsenal's upcoming fixtures include a home match against Bournemouth, followed by a clash with Manchester United and a home game against Everton. These matches will provide a stern test for the Gunners as they aim to maintain their lead over Manchester City.Despite the tough win, Arteta praised his team's mental fortitude. "We are right on it. The motivation and what is ahead is beautiful," he said.However, Arsenal's path to the title has not been without setbacks. Their 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa gave Manchester City an advantage, and City's superior goal difference means they could still lift the trophy if they win all their remaining matches.Despite the challenges, Arteta remains optimistic about his team's chances. "This team has a lot of courage and determination to make it happen. I have (faith in the players)," he said.Arsenal are chasing their first league title in 20 years, and their upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining their fate.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur locked horns in a thrilling encounter that had major implications for both teams' aspirations. Arsenal, with the league title within their grasp, faced a determined Tottenham side desperate to secure a Champions League berth.Tottenham, sitting in fifth place, needed a victory to close the seven-point gap to Aston Villa. However, Arsenal's recent form was formidable, having won four of their last five matches. Tottenham, on the other hand, had a mixed record, winning two, losing two, and drawing one.Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou emphasized the importance of attacking football, but Arsenal's resolute defense, led by Mikel Arteta, posed a significant challenge. The Gunners' sharp attack, known for exploiting open spaces, added to Tottenham's concerns.The match began with Arsenal dominating possession and creating early chances. Tottenham responded with attacking intent, but their eagerness left gaps for Arsenal to capitalize on. The opening goal came from an unfortunate own goal by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who inadvertently headed the ball into his own net.Tottenham nearly equalized from a corner, but Cristian Romero's header went inches wide. Moments later, Romero hit the post, leaving Tottenham frustrated. Despite their attacking efforts, Tottenham's finishing let them down.Arsenal extended their lead when Bukayo Saka found himself unmarked and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. Tottenham felt aggrieved as they had appealed for a penalty moments before, but Arsenal took advantage of their lapse in concentration.Tottenham continued to press, but Arsenal's defense, despite some sloppy moments, held firm. The Gunners then punished Tottenham's defensive lapse with a third goal from Haavertz, who headed in from a corner.Son Heung-min had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit, but a poor bounce sent his shot over the goal. Aston Villa fans would have been delighted with the result, as it strengthened their hold on fourth place.The second half began with Tottenham piling on the pressure, and Arsenal's goalkeeper, David Raya, made a costly error by passing the ball straight to Cristian Romero, who gratefully accepted the gift and scored.Tottenham managed to pull another goal back, but time was not on their side. The final score remained 3-2 in Arsenal's favor, leaving Tottenham's Champions League hopes hanging in the balance.

Manchester City's relentless pursuit of a fourth consecutive Premier League title continues as they prepare to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday. The champions have closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to just one point, with a game in hand.City's attacking prowess was on full display in their 4-0 demolition of Brighton, with Phil Foden issuing a warning to their rivals. "In the first half, it was frightening the way we attacked," said Foden. Kevin De Bruyne added, "I trust my team obviously, all respect to Arsenal and Liverpool because they are amazing."Arsenal face a stern test of their title credentials in the north London derby against Tottenham. A win for the Gunners would keep City at bay, while a loss could open the door for Guardiola's men to seize the initiative.Meanwhile, Aston Villa have a golden opportunity to cement their grip on fourth place when they host Chelsea. A win for Unai Emery's side would take them within touching distance of a first European Cup campaign since 1982-83.At the other end of the table, Sheffield United are on the brink of relegation. With just three league victories, Chris Wilder's team is 10 points from safety with four games left. Their crumbling defense has conceded a staggering 92 goals in 34 league games, surpassing Derby's previous record.

In a pulsating Premier League title showdown, Liverpool and Manchester City played out a thrilling 1-1 draw at Anfield, leaving Arsenal atop the standings. City took the lead through John Stones' first-half strike, but Alexis Mac Allister equalized with a penalty after the break.The result keeps Arsenal in first place, one point ahead of Liverpool and two ahead of City, with all three teams having 10 games remaining. The Gunners will face City in a potentially decisive clash on March 31.City's goal came from a clever set-piece routine, with Kevin De Bruyne's corner finding Stones at the near post for a close-range finish. Liverpool leveled in the second half when Nathan Ake's back-pass was intercepted by Darwin Nunez, leading to a reckless challenge by Ederson and a penalty converted by Mac Allister.In a frantic finale, City's Jeremy Doku hit the post and escaped a penalty appeal for a high challenge on Nunez. The match was given added significance by Jurgen Klopp's announcement that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, and he and Pep Guardiola shared a warm embrace at the final whistle.Meanwhile, Tottenham reignited their top-four hopes with a 4-0 rout of Aston Villa. James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-min, and Timo Werner scored for Spurs, who moved within two points of Villa with a game in hand.Villa's captain, John McGinn, was sent off for a challenge on Destiny Udogie, further damaging their Champions League aspirations.At the London Stadium, Burnley blew a two-goal lead as Danny Ings' late equalizer rescued a 2-2 draw for West Ham. Vincent Kompany's side remains in the relegation zone, while Nottingham Forest failed to pull away from danger after a 1-0 defeat at Brighton.