Man City vs Arsenal LIVE: Result and reaction from Premier League title decider as City thump Gunners

Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal: Kevin De Bruyne scored twice in a star performance before Erling Haaland sealed the rout in a huge blow to the Gunners’ title hopes

Pep - City 'cannot deny' importance of Arsenal game

Champions Manchester City produced a stunning performance to seize complete control of the Premier League title race with a devastating 4-1 win over leaders Arsenal.

Kevin De Bruyne struck twice with John Stones and Erling Haaland also on the scoresheet at the Etihad Stadium as City delivered a potentially decisive blow to the Gunners’ hopes of lifting the crown.

Arsenal claimed a late reply through Rob Holding but treble-chasing City had long since asserted their dominance and Haaland wrapped up the contest with his 49th goal of the season in stoppage time.

The result lifted Pep Guardiola’s men to within two points of the Londoners at the top of the table and, with two games in hand, they are now strong favourites to land their fifth title in six years.

Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta simply had no answer to the pace, strength and determination of the hosts, who were at their ruthless best and powered to their 12th win in their last 13 games in all competitions.

Follow all the reaction as Man City closed in on the Premier League title

Man City vs Arsenal

• Man City demolish Arsenal in a Premier League title decider to move within two points of the leaders
• Arsenal’s humiliation proves the title race was only an illusion
• 90+5’ GOAL! - Haaland gets his goal with the last kick of the game (MCI 4-1 ARS)
• 86 GOAL! - Holding scores a consolation for Arsenal (MCI 3-1 ARS)
• 54’ GOAL! - De Bruyne and Haaland combine to earn City’s third (MCI 3-0 ARS)
• 45+1 GOAL! - Stones nods in a De Bruyne free kick to double City’s lead (MCI 2-0 ARS)
• 30’ SAVE! - Ramsdale keeps out Haaland’s effort from close range (MCI 1-0 ARS)
• 27’ BLOCK! - White gets in front of De Bruyne’s effort (MCI 1-0 ARS)
• 22’ SHOT! - Bernardo forces Ramsdale into a low save from the right side of the box (MCI 1-0 ARS)
• 7’ GOAL! - De Bruyne sends City in front with a lovely curling shot (MCI 1-0 ARS)

[26 April 2023 20:55 · Mike Jones]

HT Man City 2-0 Arsenal

(PA)

(PA)

(Action Images via Reuters)

[26 April 2023 20:51 · Mike Jones]

Half-time: Man City 2-0 Arsenal

45+4 mins: Ruben Dias is bungled over by Ben White and kicks out at the Arsenal man after hitting the floor. He earns a yellow card.

The whistle goes to signal the end of the first half and City are flying high. They’ve scored twice with Arsenal mustering hardly anything in return.

The Premier League title could be heading back to Manchester.

[26 April 2023 20:49 · Mike Jones]

GOAL! Man City 2-0 Arsenal (Stones, 45+1’)⚽️

45+1 mins: It stands! A close offside call is overturned because Ben White’s foot was playing the City man onside. City add a second on the stroke of half-time.

[26 April 2023 20:47 · Mike Jones]

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

45+1 mins: Disallowed goal! Kevin De Bruyne floats the free kick into the far side of the box, finds John Stones and watches as the defender nods the ball into the far corner.

The offside flag goes up immediately to rule out the goal but there’s a VAR check taking place, this one may yet stand.

[26 April 2023 20:46 · Mike Jones]

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

45 mins: Two minutes of added time to play.

Thomas Partey attempts to win a physical battle with Erling Haaland but comes of worse and brings down the City striker leaving the hosts with a free kick about 30 yards out from goal.

[26 April 2023 20:43 · Mike Jones]

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

41 mins: Save! A throw in for City is sent to Rodri before getting slipped into Ilkay Gundogan on the left side of the box. He drives into the area, skips around a defender then lays the ball off to Erling Haaland.

Haaland shoots but Ramsdale drops to the low and somehow keeps the ball out with his trailing leg!

[26 April 2023 20:41 · Mike Jones]

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

39 mins: Just to add to City’s attacking threat, they’re menacing on the counter-attack too.

First Erling Haaland darts into the left side of the box and powers a shot wide of the target before Jack Grealish loses possession to another last ditch tackle just before he gets a shot away.

It won’t be long until City score again.

[26 April 2023 20:36 · Mike Jones]

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

36 mins: Close! That’s a whole lot better from Arsenal. The Gunners work the ball down the right wing this time with Bukayo Saka bringing it up to the edge of the box.

He lays it off to Thomas Partey who sidefoots a shot from outside the penalty area and curls it just wide of the near post!

[26 April 2023 20:33 · Mike Jones]

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

33 mins: And again! Haaland heads into the left inside channel this time and receives the ball with the tightest of angles towards goal.

He goes for the shot anyway and Ramsdale is forced to bat away the effort. Arsenal need to change things up, it’s all too easy for Man City tonight.

[26 April 2023 20:30 · Mike Jones]

Man City 1-0 Arsenal

30 mins: Save! Now it’s Haaland’s turn. He’s given the ball over on the right side and takes it around the Arsenal defence into the penalty area.

He cuts onto his left foot and shoots but Ramsdale drops to his right and palms the ball away with a strong right hand.

City are upping the threat and tempo. Arsenal are shook here.