LONDON: The Manchester City winning machine ploughed on relentlessly towards the title with a 1-0 Premier League defeat of Arsenal courtesy of Raheem Sterling’s goal after 75 seconds yesterday.
Sterling’s header from Riyad Mahrez’s cross caught Arsenal cold and was enough for City to claim an 18th consecutive win in all competitions and preserve their 10-point lead.
The visitors dominated possession and created numerous chances but were unable to kill off Arsenal, although City keeper Ederson was rarely called into action.
Pep Guardiola’s side’s 13th successive league victory lifted them to 59 points from 25 games.
Arsenal’s third defeat in four games left them in 10th spot.
Meanwhile, an impressive individual performance from Marcus Rashford steered Manchester United to a 3-1 home win over Newcastle United last night as the England forward scored one goal and had a hand in another.
James Maddison and Harvey Barnes scored quick-fire first-half goals as Leicester City notched up a 2-1 win away to Aston Villa.
West Ham United claimed fourth spot in the Premier League as goals early in each half by Michail Antonio and Jesse Lingard earned them a nervy 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Their seventh win in their last nine league games moved West Ham two points above Chelsea in their mounting challenge for a Champions League spot while Tottenham have slumped to ninth.
United moved back into second spot on 49 points from 25 games, 10 behind leaders Manchester City and ahead of third-placed Leicester City on goal difference.
