Man City 4-1 Arsenal: Cityzens are only 2 points from top, De Bruyne hits twice

Cityzens are only 2 points from top, De Bruyne hits twice. Haaland scores in last minute. Man City's title hope almost achieved

Match Report

Kevin de Bruyne fired the hosts ahead with a superb solo goal in the seventh minute and set up John Stones for City's second just before the half-time whistle.

The Belgian continued to link up fruitfully with Erling Haaland in attack and was eventually rewarded with a third goal in the 54th minute, coolly slotting his effort past Aaron Ramsdale to put the defending champions 3-0 ahead.

Rob Holding grabbed a consolation goal for the Gunners late on, but Haaland scored with practically the last kick of the game to net his 49th goal for the season across all competitions, marking a superb 4-1 win.

City climbed to within two points of Arsenal with two games in hand, seizing control in the title race with eight matches to play.

Line-ups

Man City XI: Walker, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Stones, Ederson, Grealish, Ruben Dias, Bernardo, Akanji, Rodri, Haaland

Subs: Stefan Ortega, Mahrez, Laporte, Kalvin Phillips, Foden, Sergio Gómez, Cole Palmer, Julián Álvarez, Rico Lewis

Arsenal XI: Xhaka, Partey, Zinchenko, Martin Ødegaard, Jesus, Holding, Gabriel, Ramsdale, Ben White, Martinelli, Saka

Subs: Trossard, Jorginho, Tierney, Matt Turner, Nelson, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Jakub Kiwior, Fábio Vieira