○On Wednesday 22nd April, Josep Guardiola’s side defeated Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor. Although it wasn’t reflected in the scoreline in this match, they were almost always in the lead.
It wasn’t that they lacked possession, it was that they lacked goals.
Erling Haaland’s left-footed goal, assisted by Jeremy Dok, set the tone for the match.
That action was enough to preserve the lead and earn points.
But beyond the results, there is something else that is starting to take shape.
City take direct control of Arsenal
On the same day, that victory took City to the top of the Premier League.
It’s not a detail.
Because he’s not just chasing Arsenal FC’s lead today. It means he’s been there before and knows what it feels like, and that changed his approach to the end of the season.
The scenario is different today, as Arsenal regained the lead with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United, but the difference is still minimal, leaving Guardiola’s side with three points.
And it keeps everything open.
Because it’s not just something that has already happened, but something that could happen in the future.
City aren’t giving up the fight anytime, and every game is starting to feel like a way to press, reminding Arsenal there is no room for error and they are not safe at the top.
Next match:
The next game is against Everton on May 4th, and it is clear that the goal is to continue winning this game as well.
At this stage, simply playing “well” is not enough. It’s about not missing a step and being close enough.
And Manchester City have already made it clear they are aiming for top spot. Because they were already there…and they weren’t going to let it go.
