Premier League champions Manchester City are in ominous kind of their chase a fourth successive Premier League crown as leaders Arsenal face a stern check of their title credentials towards the Spurs within the north London derby Sunday.
Phil Foden issued a warning to City’s title rivals after the champions’ “frightening” assault impressed a significant 4-0 demolition of Brighton.
Pep Guardiola’s facet couldn’t afford to slide up on the Amex Stadium on Thursday as they attempt to overhaul Arsenal within the title race.
And City rose to the problem as Kevin De Bruyne’s header put them in entrance earlier than Foden netted twice within the first half.
Julian Alvarez added the fourth after the break to finish his aim drought as second positioned City climbed inside one level of Arsenal.
City have a sport in hand over each Arsenal and third positioned Liverpool, who’re two factors adrift of Guardiola’s males after their damaging loss at Everton on Wednesday.
The Etihad Stadium membership might be champions but once more in the event that they win their final 5 video games, beginning at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
“In the first half it was frightening the way we attacked,” mentioned Foden, whereas De Bruyne added: “I trust my team obviously, all respect to Arsenal and Liverpool because they are amazing.”
Arsenal should win at bitter rivals Tottenham for a second consecutive season to maintain City at bay, whereas Liverpool take their spluttering problem to West Ham.
Villa eye prime 4 place
With Tottenham going through a tough activity towards Arsenal, Aston Villa have a golden alternative to cement their grip on fourth place once they host troubled Chelsea.
Villa are six factors away from fifth positioned Tottenham, who’ve two video games in hand within the battle to qualify for subsequent season’s Champions League.
A win for Unai Emery’s males Saturday night and a loss for Tottenham would take Villa inside touching distance of a primary European Cup marketing campaign since 1982-83.
The prospect of plundering a Chelsea protection breached 5 instances by Arsenal on Tuesday might be all the inducement Villa striker Ollie Watkins wants to increase his sizzling streak.
Watkins has 19 league targets this time period – behind solely joint top-scorers Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer – and can also be the top-flight’s main help supplier with 12.
“I appreciate him and his progress. His commitment to do the work we always need has been fantastic, more than scoring goals, more than assists,” Emery mentioned.
Blades face chop
Sheffield United journey to Newcastle with the grim prospect of relegation hanging over them after a disastrous season.
With simply three league victories, Chris Wilder’s backside of the desk workforce are 10 factors from security with 4 video games left.
They are virtually sure to return to the Championship simply 12 months after profitable promotion, with their crumbling protection on the root of their impending demise.
Beaten 4-2 at Manchester United on Wednesday, the Blades have conceded 92 targets in 34 league video games, surpassing Derby’s earlier file of 89 in a 38-game top-flight season.
Their destiny might be sealed in the event that they lose at Newcastle on Saturday or if fourth backside Nottingham Forest match their consequence towards Manchester City on Sunday.
Asked if he believes his membership can bounce again subsequent season, Wilder mentioned: “It’s going to be hard. We have to make big decisions. We have to get it right.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
