Fallers of Burnley, this Wednesday evening (0-1), the Mancuniens are the new leaders of the Premier League, 5 days before the end of the championship.
Manchester City temporarily snatched first place in the English championship from Arsenal, who have held it relentlessly since the beginning of October, by winning 1-0 on Wednesday at penultimate Burnley, officially relegated to the second division.
Arsenal will move back in front in the event of a victory or draw on Saturday against Newcastle during the 34th day, but Manchester City still has a wildcard, with a late match to play against Crystal Palace. On Wednesday, Pep Guardiola’s team did not shine at Turf Moor but they went for the victory they needed to take the throne in the Premier League, three days after their success against the Gunners (2-1).
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It has a perfectly identical record to Arsenal (70 points and +37 in goal difference) after 33 matches played, but it doubles it in the standings thanks to a higher total of goals scored (66 against 63). The one scored in the fifth minute by Erling Haaland, his 24th goal this season in the Premier League, was enough for the Citizens to be happy.
The Norwegian center forward got the better of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka with a fine left dive, after a powerful sprint launched by a pass from Jérémy Doku (5th, 1-0). The visitors dominated without managing to drive home the point, and sometimes letting their host approach Gianluigi Donnarumma’s cage a little too easily, until the final seconds of the match.
For Burnley, the 22nd defeat suffered in 34 days is synonymous with relegation to the Championship (2nd division), the third in five seasons for the Clarets accustomed to yo-yoing between the two divisions. In the other evening meeting, Bournemouth was joined in added time by Leeds (2-2). The Cherries of French striker Junior Kroupi, scorer of his 11th goal in the Premier League, however move up to seventh place, dragging Chelsea down a notch in the process.
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