Man City crank up pressure on Arsenal
Agency :
Manchester City are now breathing down the necks of Premier League leaders Arsenal after a hard-fought 2-1 home win over Newcastle United reduced the gap to two points on Saturday.
Nico O’Reilly scored both City goals in the first half before a resolute defensive display after the break ensured Pep Guardiola’s side bagged three vital points.
Aston Villa’s faint title hopes suffered a blow though as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Leeds United and Chelsea’s top-four ambitions were damaged when they dropped two points against relegation-bound Burnley.
Not long ago, with City dropping points, it seemed Arsenal had a vice-like grip on the title race.
But successive draws have opened the door ajar and City, while not the relentless force they were when reeling off four successive titles, are beginning to smell blood.
They came out determined to crank up the pressure on Arsenal and O’Reilly thumped home their opener in the 14th minute after a surging run and pass by Omar Marmoush.
Lewis Hall levelled soon after with a deflected shot but O’Reilly was in the right place again to head in Erling Haaland’s cross in the 27th minute and it proved enough for a 17th successive home Premier League win against Newcastle.
City showed defensive grit after the break, with Haaland immense at both ends, as they held on for a win Guardiola described as ‘massive’ to move to 56 points.
Leeds are in 15th place after suffering only two defeats in their last 14 league games, six points above third-bottom West Ham United who drew 0-0 at home to Bournemouth.
Chelsea moved above Manchester United into fourth spot on goal difference but it felt like two points dropped for the second week running as they drew 1-1 with Burnley at home.
Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead but the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Wesley Fofana received a second yellow card and Burnley equalized in stoppage time through Zian Flemming.
Chelsea have received a league-high six red cards this season and have lost 19 points from winning positions, with only relegation-threatened West Ham dropping more.