Manchester City tightened their grip on the title race with a 2–1 win over Arsenal on Sunday, while Liverpool boosted their Champions League hopes with a dramatic Merseyside derby victory.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal had led the standings for months but are faltering at a crucial stage in their bid to win a first league title in 22 years. Erling Haaland proved decisive for City, scoring in the 65th minute after Rayan Cherki’s brilliant opener had been cancelled out by Kai Havertz, who capitalised on a costly error by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Arteta could only watch in frustration as Havertz missed a late chance to equalise, heading over from close range in the closing minutes.
The win, roared on by City’s home crowd, leaves Pep Guardiola’s side poised to go top if they win their game in hand at Burnley. City are now firmly in control of the title race and on course for a seventh Premier League crown in nine seasons, while Arsenal risk a fourth consecutive second-place finish.
Van Dijk’s late derby winner
Earlier, Virgil van Dijk struck deep into stoppage time to seal a 2–1 win for Liverpool over Everton in the Merseyside derby at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Arne Slot’s side are now seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea in the race for a top-five finish and Champions League qualification.
Van Dijk rose to head home Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner in the 100th minute, beating Jordan Pickford to spark wild celebrations.
“Today was massive in the situation that we are in, hunting for the Champions League spots,” Van Dijk said. “That is definitely not Liverpool-worthy, but it is the reality—and it was important we got the win.”
Mohamed Salah had earlier opened the scoring, finishing calmly after a precise pass from Cody Gakpo. Everton responded early in the second half when Beto converted from close range after good work by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The match appeared destined for a draw before Van Dijk’s late intervention in a dramatic finish.
Aston Villa moved level on points with third-placed Manchester United after a chaotic 4–3 win over Sunderland.
Ollie Watkins scored twice as Villa surged into a 3–1 lead, only to be pegged back by quickfire goals from Trai Hume and Wilson Isidor.
But Tammy Abraham struck in stoppage time to seal a vital win.
Captain John McGinn said: “We’re in a great position—semi-finals of a European competition and pushing for the top five. We’re determined to finish the job with five big games left.”
At the bottom of the table, Nottingham Forest boosted their survival hopes with a 4–1 comeback win over Burnley, inspired by a hat-trick from Morgan Gibbs-White.
Forest are now five points clear of 18th-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who remain under pressure alongside West Ham United.
West Ham, just one point above Spurs, face Crystal Palace on Monday as the relegation battle intensifies.
