In the long-distance duel for the Premier League title, Arsenal FC and Manchester City showed no weaknesses. The league leaders from London beat AFC Bournemouth 3-0 (1-0) on Saturday. A few hours later, the Cityzens were unimpressed and won 5-1 (3-0) against Wolverhampton Wanderers thanks to Erling Haaland’s four goals.
Coach Pep Guardiola’s team still has its tenth championship in its own hands. As second in the table, the Citizens are one point behind Arsenal with three games left. However, he played one more game.
The match winner for the defending champions was once again striker Haaland. The Norwegian striker scored a hat trick with two penalties in the first half (12th minute/45th+3), before the second he was fouled himself. He also scored a header goal in the 35th minute. After Hee-Chan Hwang scored for the guests (53rd), Haaland immediately added another goal (54th). In the 82nd minute, the Norwegian was substituted by Guardiola – and complained to himself. His replacement Julian Alvarez (87th) also scored.
Saka, Trossard and Rice score for Arsenal
In the Arsenal FC game, Kai Havertz, who was once again playing well, fell in the 42nd minute after slight contact with keeper Mark Travers. Referee David Coote awarded a penalty, which also stood up to the video evidence. England’s national striker Bukayo Saka (45th minute), who like his colleagues missed a few chances during the game, converted safely to take the lead.
After the break the game became much more offensive. Leandro Trossard made it 2-0 for the Gunners in the 70th minute. Three minutes later, the guests seemed to shorten the score. But Antoine Semenyo’s goal was disallowed, even after video evidence, because Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was obstructed. Declan Rice scored the final score in the seventh minute of stoppage time. For Arsenal to have a chance of winning their first championship title in 20 years, they need their rivals from Manchester to slip up.
Liverpool’s championship dreams almost gone
Jürgen Klopp’s already slim chance of saying goodbye to Liverpool FC with the title has fallen to a minimum. If the Reds do not win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (5.30 p.m./Sky), the championship is theoretically no longer possible.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town have been promoted to the Premier League. Ipswich won 2-0 (1-0) against Huddersfield Town under coach André Breitenreiter on the last matchday of the Championship and follows second-placed Leicester City in the top English league.
