With a certain inevitability, Manchester City is once again in the lead in the fight for the Premier League title.
Arsenal and Liverpool produced lethargic performances under pressure and lost yesterday to leave City – seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive title in the English top division – two points clear with six games left in the tournament.
After Liverpool lost for the first time at Anfield in 18 months, losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace, Arsenal lost 2-0 to Aston Villa, their first defeat of 2024.
The contenders entered the weekend separated by one point and this season looked set to be one of the best in years — and possibly one to remember.
There may still be some surprises, but many will surely want to put the crown on City.
It was at this point last year that Arsenal began to unravel and City, who know how to finish strongly, overtook Mikel Arteta’s team.
Is it happening again? Playing a doubleheader that includes the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayern Munich, Arsenal’s players lacked polish. The goals of Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins gave an important victory to Villa, which is fourth and seeks to qualify for the “Champions”.
It was surely a satisfying victory for Villa manager Unai Emery, who was sacked by Arsenal in 2019 after 18 months in charge as Arsene Wenger’s replacement.
Arsenal have the best defense in England, but have conceded four goals at home in five days after drawing 2-2 with Bayern.
Hours earlier at Anfield, Liverpool — playing three days after losing 3-0 to Atalanta in the Europa League quarterfinals — could not respond after Eberechi Eze’s goal in the 14th minute.
Liverpool’s season is falling apart. It wasn’t long ago that the team were looking to win four trophies in coach Jurgen Klopp’s final campaign after winning the League Cup, but the Reds are out of the FA Cup, close to being eliminated from the Europa League and now sit third in the Premier League.
City beat Luton 5-1 on Saturday and have 73 points. Arsenal and Liverpool have 71 points, the Gunners ahead on goal difference.
Fulham triumph
West Ham’s hopes of progressing to European tournaments were dealt another blow in the space of four days following a 2-0 home defeat to Fulham.
The Hammers missed the chance to jump to sixth place in the Premier League after Andreas Pereira’s goals gave Fulham the win.— AP
#Liverpool #Arsenal #stumble #Diario #Yucatán
2024-04-16 21:57:36