DE BRUYNE STARS AS CITY COME OUT ON TOP IN TITLE DECIDER

Manchester City defeated Arsenal on Wednesday night in a highly anticipated fixture; the 4-1 victory at the Etihad means that City close the gap to just two points with two games in hand over the Gunners.

Manchester City destroyed title rivals Arsenal on Wednesday with an emphatic 4-1 victory, Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring with a confident effort outside the box before John Stones extended the lead with a powerful header. Controversy surround the second goal as many deemed it offside however the goal was given meaning City went in at half-time two ahead.

Kevin De Bruyne claimed his brace with another goal in the second half, a calm slotted finish past Aaron Ramsdale after capitalising on a mistake by Martin Odegaard. Rob Holding scored a consolation goal towards the end of the game, a cracking finish but not enough to inspire a comeback so late on. Erling Haaland had to wait but he eventually got his name on the scoresheet to secure the win and boost his clubs title hopes.

De Bruyne sets the tone from the get-go

Manchester City set the standard as soon as Michael Oliver blew the first whistle, it only took seven minutes for the six time Premier League champions to take the lead at the Etihad.

Erling Haaland held off the Arsenal defence and brought the ball down calmly from a clearance, shrugging off Rob Holding easily before setting the ball off to Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian rushed down the pitch, beating the entire Arsenal back line for pace and driving the ball past Aaron Ramsdale with a low shot into the bottom right corner.

A great finish from De Bruyne who is usually the one setting up Haaland, however this time the roles were reversed and Haaland provided the assist for the openeing goal.

Haaland unable to convert his chances

Erling Haaland had two brilliant chances to extended his side's lead but was unable to take either of them, the first thanks to a strong save from Ramsdale, the second flew inches wide of the left post.

Just before the half-hour mark, Kevin De Bruyne slotted Haaland through on goal; he took a leaf out of Phil Foden's book, using the English winger's signature skill to dance past Oleksandr Zinchenko and Rob Holding. Haaland must have thought he'd doubled the lead as the easiest part for him was shooting, but somehow Ramsdale got down and made an important stop for the away side.

10 minutes later the Norweigan had another chance to get his name on the scoresheet but was unable to find the back of the net. Haaland received the ball from Jack Grealish out on the left flank and drove past Gabriel and unleashed a low curling effort in the same corner as the first chance. Once again the Premier League top goal scorer fell just short as the ball went a couple of inches wide of the post.

Controversial goal from Stones doubles the lead

John Stones doubled the advantage for Man City just before the interval with an impressive header, although it was initially deemed offside, VAR gave the goal to damage Arsenal's title hopes even more.

Who else but Kevin De Bruyne to dispatch the whipping cross into the box? The ball was perfect and met the head of Stones who escaped his marker Ben White well before powering his header into the net; that's a goal in back-to-back league games for Stones, both very different but equally as important. As for the assisted De Bruyne, that was his 16th of the campaign and what a time to get it, setting up a goal that could prove to be a huge moment in the title race.

De Bruyne grabs a brace

Similarly to the first half, it didn't take De Bruyne long to get on the scoresheet after the interval. City were running away with the game and the league title was slipping further and further away from Arsenal.

Arsenal were totally at fault for the goal, with Martin Odegaard lost possession cheaply with a lazy pass to Thomas Partey, De Bruyne nicked the ball away, poking it to Haaland who burst forward. Nobody tracked De Bruyne run down the left side of the box and the unmarked Belgian simply slotted the ball through Holding's legs and past Ramsdale for the second time of the evening.

It was a really poor goal to concede from Arsenal's point of view, Mikel Arteta was furious on the sideline as it seemed as though his squad have given up a little bit.

Holding lashes in a consolation goal

Rob Holding had been disappointing all evening but he was the man to score the Gunners consolation goal, substitute Leandro Trossard made an instant impact, driving into the box and poking the ball towards Holding. The centre-back lashed it past Ederson, a great finish but too little too late for Arsenal.

Haaland rewarded for his patience

In the final kick of the game, Haaland got the goal he'd been chasing all game. The move started from a clearance down the other end of the pitch, the ball fell to substitute Phil Foden who brought the it down and threaded a pass through to Haaland.

The striker's fate was never in doubt, although he had to wait it was only a matter of time before he saw the net ripple, finally the low driven shot beat Ramsdale, sealing the deal for Pep's side.

Arteta's side in trouble as City close in

A colossal statement made by Manchester City at the Etihad, this game was Arsenal's chance to test themselves again the very best and they were swept to the side with ease. The gulf in class is incredible and a credit to Guardiola's Manchester City side. They are now only 2 points behind Arsenal with two games in hand meaning if they win those they will go top of the table by four points. The treble is well and truly on, it looks as though City are unbeatable, there's still a long way to go to get there, but you can't put it past this side.

Starting XI's

Manchester City (4-3-3) – Ederson, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan (Riyad Mahrez 72’), Kevin De Bruyne (Julian Alvarez 80’), Jack Grealish (Phil Foden 87’), Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland

Bookings -

Scorers -

Arsenal (4-3-3) – Aaron Ramsdale, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel, Rob Holding, Ben White, Granit Xhaka (Jorginho 60’), Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard (Emile Smith-Rowe 71’), Gabriel Martinelli (Leandro Trossard 60’), Bukayo Saka (Reiss Nelson 80’), Gabriel Jesus (Eddie Nketiah 80’)