Manchester City moved to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal after securing a 4-1 win in their top-of-the-table affair on Wednesday night.
Premier League
Result: Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal
Date: 26 April 2023
Venue: Etihad
The Gunners were boosted by the return of Granit Xhaka, who replaced Fabio Vieria in the midfield, while City recalled Ederson, Ruben Dias, Kevin de Bruyne and John Stones.
De Bruyne made his intentions known after just seven minutes as he latched onto a pass by Erling Haaland and surged towards before expertly finishing in at Aaron Ramsey's near post.
The Citizens nearly bagged a second goal on 26 minutes Haaland combined De Bruyne once again to send the Belgian through on goal, however Gunners defender Rob Holding popped up with a vital block in the box.
City's constant pressure continue as Haaland should have doubled the lead moments later after weaving his way into the box but his tame shot was turned away by Ramsdale.
The hosts had the ball in the back of the net for a second time when Stones nodded home De Bruyne's cross on the stroke of halftime, with the video Assistant Referee (VAR) confirming the goal after it had been initially ruled out for offside.
Pep Guardiola's side carried that momentum into the second half as De Bruyne pounced on Martin Odegaard's error and exchanged passes with Haaland before calmly slotting past Ramsdale for his second goal.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta responded with a double change for the final 25 minutes, as Xhaka and Gabriel Martinelli made way for Jorginho and Leandro Trossard.
The away side did manage to pull a goal back in the 88th minute when Trossard teed up Holding, who found the back of the net with an impressive first-time finish.
There would be no comeback for Arteta's side as Man City grabbed a fourth goal in stoppage time with a powerful finish after being set up by Phil Foden.
Other results:
West Ham United 1-2 Liverpool
Chelsea 0-2 Brentford
Nottingham Forest 3-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
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