Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal: Kevin De Bruyne masterclass as hosts take control of Premier League title race

Kevin De Bruyne scored twice and set up another as Manchester City put in a dominant display to beat Arsenal 4-1 and move within two points of first place in the Premier League with two games in hand.

The hosts made an electric start and Arsenal could hardly keep pace as De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva caused chaos in the Arsenal backline.

But it was a route one approach that gave City the lead. A clearance from deep inside their own half was controlled by Erling Haaland, whose flick found De Bruyne running at goal. And the Belgian’s burst of pace bought him enough space to rifle past Aaron Ramsdale.

City continued in search of a second and Ramsdale did brilliantly to deny Haaland three times in 10 minutes as the Norwegian sought to score his 33rd goal of the league season.

Yet it was John Stones who eventually doubled City’s lead, heading home another pinpoint De Bruyne cross on the stroke of half-time. Despite an initial flag for offside, VAR judged that Ben White’s foot was just ahead of Stones’ shoulder.

Ramsdale pulled off yet another remarkable save early in the second half as Haaland raced through on goal, but he could not stop De Bruyne’s effort just moments later.

Haaland turned creator once again and slipped the midfield maestro through, De Bruyne slotting through Rob Holding and past Ramsdale to make it three.

Pep Guardiola’s side sat back and Arsenal grabbed a consolation four minutes from time as Holding found space inside the box to bend past Ederson.

But in reality, City never looked like throwing it away and dealt a final blow in injury time as Haaland struck – breaking the record for most goals in a 38-game season in the progress.

City are still behind leaders Arsenal – but with two games in hand and only two points between them, the Premier League title is now well within reach for a third consecutive season.

TALKING POINT – TITLE DECIDED?

Manchester City are two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand and on red hot form. The Gunners, meanwhile, are winless in four.

Mikel Arteta’s men may have led the Premier League all season, but when push comes to shove you have to say, they might have thrown it away. Pep Guardiola’s side, meanwhile, look simply unstoppable and are coasting towards a third consecutive title. We’ve not seen that since the Sir Alex Ferguson days.

MAN OF THE MATCH – KEVIN DE BRUYNE (MAN CITY)

De Bruyne loves a game against Arsenal. Once again he was at his magisterial best, scoring two brilliant solo goals and providing another for Stones. A world-class display.

PLAYER RATINGS

Man City: Ederson 6, Walker 7, Stones 7, Dias 6, Akanji 6, Rodri 8, De Bruyne 9, Gundogan 7, Silva 7, Grealish 6, Haaland 8. Subs. Mahrez 5, Alvarez 5, Foden n/a.

Arsenal: Ramsdale 6, White 6, Holding 5, Gabriel 4, Zinchenko 6, Partey 5, Xhaka 4, Odegaard 4, Saka 6, Martinelli 5, Jesus 3. Subs. Jorginho 5, Trossard 6, Smith Rowe 6, Nketiah 5, Nelson 5.

KEY MOMENTS

7 – GOAL! Man City 1-0 Arsenal (De Bruyne): That didn’t take long… Haaland flicks on for De Bruyne who bursts through midfield before rifling past Ramsdale. It’s a great goal, but far too easy. Two passes from back to front was enough to break down the Gunners.

45+2′ – GOAL! Man City 2-0 Arsenal (Stones): Stones heads De Bruyne’s cross past Ramsdale but the flag is up! VAR has a look… IT COUNTS! Stones makes it two on the stroke of half-time!

54′ – GOAL! Man City 3-0 Arsenal (De Bruyne): Nothing Ramsdale can do about this one! Haaland picks out De Bruyne on the left and the Belgian just slots past Holding and Ramsdale for his second of the match. I think that’s game over.

87′ – GOAL! Man City 3-1 Arsenal (Holding): There’s the consolation! Trossard weaves into the box and picks out Holding in space who just bends a lovely effort into the corner.

90+5′ – GOAL! Man City 4-1 Arsenal (Haaland): He always scores. Foden picks out the big man inside the box and he slots past Ramsdale this time. 33 goals in the Premier League this season.

KEY STAT