Seeing the relief of a Pep Guardiola exhausted at the final whistle and the joy of Erling Haaland with the public at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City obtained an important victory when Newcastle (2-1) came on Saturday afternoon for the 27th day of the Premier League. The title race may have taken quite a turn this week. On Wednesday, Arsenal was unable to win against the red lantern Wolverhampton (2-2), in the advanced match of the 31st round, and now presents itself as a particularly fragile leader.
By winning against the Magpies, the Cityzens come back to within two points of the Gunners, who are playing an extremely important North London Derby in the den of Tottenham on Sunday (5:30 p.m.). Mikel Arteta’s team would do better to come away with the three points at the expense of these Spurs now led by Igor Tudor. Arsenal will therefore have one more match on the clock at the end of the weekend.
Gianluigi Donnarumma still decisive
Man City also found new strength this Saturday with Nico O’Reilly’s astonishing double. The 20-year-old midfielder opened the scoring with a violent strike from the left fifteen minutes into the game (14th), before heading in a cross from Erling Haaland (27th). The Norwegian cyborg, top scorer in the Premier League with 22 goals, did not need to shake the net himself. Rayan Cherki, left on the bench, was launched on the hour mark in place of Omar Marmoush (58th). Phil Foden only appeared on the pitch in the 87th minute…
Pep Guardiola’s men allowed themselves to be dominated throughout the second half and Gianluigi Donnarumma made a final save on a long shot from Harvey Barnes in added time (94th). The Italian goalkeeper recruited from PSG is saving points here and there for his team this season and that could weigh in the balance in the title race.
