Manchester City took care of their job on Saturday against Luton Town and is now in pole position for a fourth successive Premier League title. Liverpool and Arsenal failed to follow and fell behind the reigning champions.
Pep Guardiola’s team started the weekend trailing their two rivals by one point and is now two points ahead with only 18 possible remaining. Their 5-1 win over Luton Town not only gave them the lead in terms of points but also produced a deep cut into Arsenal’s goal difference advantage.
Liverpool suffered the first Premier League defeat at Anfield since October 2022, which was 28 matches ago. Eze gave Crystal Palace the lead with a wonderful team goal and the Reds found no way around the defence. Football was not the answer so set-pieces and energy were the main tools but a fantastic Dean Henderson and some incredible missed opportunities left them empty-handed at the end.
Arsenal started the game in 2024 fashion finding spaces in behind with Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard running the show but, as time went on, Aston Villa grew in the game. In the second half the game slowed down but it was Unai Emery’s side dictating the game with an Arsenal side with no energy and response.
In the final stages when it all pointed towards a draw Aston Villa opened the score with a low cross from the left for Leon Bailey and shortly after sealed the deal with Ollie Watkins on the break.
Now it is Manchester City leading with 73 points, with Arsenal and Liverpool chasing on 71 points each. Mikel Arteta’s side still has the upper hand in terms of goal difference (+49), with City now second (+44) and Klopp’s fell to third (+41) in the goal difference department. This “extra point” could become a crucial factor, especially with three teams involved in the fight.
The last time the title was decided by goal difference was the historical 2011/12 season, when Sergio Agüero scored a very late goal to propel City ahead of their local rivals.
The Title Run-in
| Manchester City | Arsenal | Liverpool |
| Nottingham Forrest (A) | Wolverhampton (A) | Fulham (A) |
| Wolverhampton (H) | Tottenham (A) | West Ham (A) |
| Fulham (A) | Bournemouth (H) | Tottenham (H) |
| Tottenham (A) | Manchester United (A) | Aston Villa (A) |
| West Ham (H) | Everton (H) | Wolverhampton (H) |
| Brighton (A) | Chelsea (H) | Everton (A) |
Manchester City
Besides now having the points advantage they face the easiest fixture on paper. The toughest game will be away to Tottenham Hotspur, a place where they have yet to score a goal in a Premier League match. Add to the fact that Spurs are still in contention for a top four spot, and the match will be a lot more challenging for the Cityzens.
This will not be City’s first trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadum this season, having won 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth round in January.
Arsenal
Of the three title contenders, Arsenal’s schedule looks the most challenging on paper. Seeing that they have two London derbies left, including a match at Tottenham, the Gunners will have it quite rough to end the season.
Add to that a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, and things do not look favourable for Arsenal going into the run-in.
Liverpool
The Reds will face a very similar fixture to Manchester City. The hardest games for them will be Tottenham at home and a visit to Villa Park, a place where both their title rivals have lost 1-0 this season.
Of course, Jürgen Klopp’s men still have to face Everton away in the German coach’s final Merseyside Derby. Do not overlook the Toffess, who still need points to maintain their Premier League status. That is not to say that denying their local rivals a Premier League title is not motivation enough for Sean Dyche and co.
We are set for a fascinating end to the Premier League campaign, as Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool will continue to push each other over these final six matches.