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Match Report: Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal (Premier League)

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Manchester City handed rivals Arsenal a massive blow in the Premier League title race with a 4-1 victory on Wednesday night.

Fans flocked into the Etihad Stadium for what was heralded as the biggest game of the season as the league’s top two locked horns in the midst of the title run-in.

City entered the game in second place in the table, trailing leaders Arsenal by five points but crucially having played two games fewer than the north Londoners.

The game began following an impressive tifo showing from the home fans, sporting the “I’ll follow you everywhere” slogan from the City faithful’s latest chant.

Pep Guardiola’s side had an early penalty shout waved away as Thomas Partey appeared to take down Kevin De Bruyne in the box.

Minutes later, the net was torn off by furious drive from the Belgian to give the Premier League champions a seventh-minute lead.

Set up by Erling Haaland in a devastating role reversal, De Bruyne made no mistake, easily beating Aaron Ramsdale from distance.

Following several unpunished fouls by the visitors, City came forward again through Bernardo Silva but the Portuguese saw his tame effort saved by Ramsdale.

Guardiola’s men looked to have been on course for a second as De Bruyne surged through the Gunners’ backline but the defence caught up and prevented a one-on-one situation.

Arsenal hung on again as Haaland danced through their rearguard but the Norwegian fluffed his shot when he had the opportunity to square the ball to De Bruyne.

Haaland then had another chance after Jack Grealish launched a riveting counter attack but the 22-year-old fired wide – this times by mere inches of Ramsdale’s post.

Ramsdale well and truly kept his side in the game as he made another fantastic save against the Norwegian, this time with his legs from close range.

John Stones had the ball in the back of the net just before the halftime whistle but the Yorkshireman’s effort but he was adjudged to have been offside.

Well, he was for a minute anyway before the decision was dramasticaly reversed following a VAR check, much to the delight of a buoyant Etihad faithful.

John Stones providing a decisive touch regarding a would-be goal in a so-called title decider at the Etihad Stadium. Sound familiar?

Michael Oliver then brought an end to the first half proceedings with City heading into the tunnel with a confident lead.

The second half began much like the first with lots of early pressure from the home side, with Haaland seeing his fifth golden change spurned by a Ramsdale denial.

De Bruyne ensured this mattered little as he slotted home the deserved third goal for City after another Haaland assist.

On a night where he uncharacteristically saw his chances not hit the back of the net, the Norwegian once again turned provider to devastating effect.

After a lull in play, Guardiola decided to make the first change to his die of the night, bringing on Riyad Mahrez for Ilkay Gundogan.

Grealish then successfully wound Thomas Partey up like an alarm clock – resulting in both being awarded a yellow card for the feisty dispute.

Bukayo Saka then sent his free kick into the stands, summing up Arsenal’s evening at the home of the Premier League champions.

A standing ovation was given to De Bruyne as City’s man-of-the-moment departed the pitch for Julian Alvarez to enter the biggest game of the season.

Rob Holding tucked away a smart finish from within the box to beat Ederson to pull one back for the Gunners late on. Grealish was then substituted for his England teammate Phil Foden to close out the rest of the game.

Haaland let his hair down, literally, and finally got his goal with the last play of the match as substitute Foden played in the Norwegian.

Following the comprehensive win, Manchester City find themselves second in the Premier League table, trailing leaders Arsenal by two points.

Guardiola’s men are next in action on Sunday as they travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham in the latest fixture in the title run-in.

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