Manchester City defeated West Ham 4-1 in the Premier League game played on Sunday, at the London Stadium on Sunday. The win moves the champions onto 93 points but leaves West Ham still in a tricky position. David Moyes’ side are just three points above the relegation zone with three games left to play.
In the other game of the day, Manchester United strengthened their grip on second place with a 2-1 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Review
Champions Manchester City put on a masterclass against West Ham as they scored four and could easily have had more.
Leroy Sane opened the scoring after just 13 minutes as his shot deflected off Patrice Evra and wrong-footed Adrian in the West Ham goal.
An unfortunate own goal from former City defender Pablo Zabaleta saw the visitors double their lead and also make it 100 top flight goals for the season.
Aaron Cresswell gave West Ham brief hope as he curled a free-kick past Ederson just before half-time, but City responded well after the break with Raheem Sterling the star of the show.
The England international teed up Gabriel Jesus and then Fernandinho, and he recorded three assists in a match for the first time in his career, as he had earlier set up Sane.
Sterling was also denied a penalty after being brought down by Cresswell and had an effort denied by Adrian.
City played with the swagger of champions throughout and their 30th Premier League win of the season equals Chelsea’s.
Pep Guardiola’s side still have three games left to play and look set to break more records in what has been a fantastic season for the Citizens.
Sunday’s Results
West Ham United 1-4 Manchester City
Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal
Later on Sunday Arsene Wenger took his team to Old Trafford for the last time as Arsenal manager and received a warm welcome from the crowd.
The Frenchman was presented with a gift by former rival and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. Jose Mourinho also joined in with the pre-match pleasantries.
Arsenal rested plenty of first-teamers ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg at Atletico Madrid in mind.
The hosts were less generous on the pitch as they took the lead on 16 minutes. Romelu Lukaku’s cross was headed onto the post by former Gunner Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba volleyed home the rebound.
Television pundit Graeme Souness was not too impressed with Granit Xhaka’s role in the goal.
The midfielder was also fortunate to escape a second yellow card as he was penalised for handball, having earlier been booked for pulling back Jesse Lingard.
Arsenal did have chances but Henrikh Mkhitaryan fired a shot wide and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang headed straight at David De Gea from close range.
United lost Lukaku to injury early in the second half and then the lead as Mkhitaryan equalised with a low shot across goal that flew through Victor Lindelof’s legs and beat De Gea.
The Armenian is the first player to score for and against Manchester United in the same Premier League season.
The hosts had the better of the second half but some sloppy passing and poor finishing meant they struggled to really trouble David Ospina in the Arsenal goal. Marcus Rashford did get the ball in the back of the net late on but it was correctly ruled out for offside.
The game looked to be heading for a draw until Fellaini popped up to net the winner in stoppage time. The substitute headed Ashley Young’s cross home to secure the win and ensure Arsenal are still without a point on their Premier League travels in 2018.
Credit: Bleacher
