Before crossing swords with Liverpool, Manchester City regained its leadership position by winning quietly at Burnley (2-0) this Saturday, as part of the 30th day of the Premier League. In the London derby, Chelsea took on the water against Christian Eriksen’s Brentford (1-4) and gave Arsenal the possibility of getting closer to their 3rd place.
More than ever, the English are salivating for the duel, perhaps decisive for the title race, between Manchester City and Liverpool next Sunday (5:30 p.m.). After the inaugural success of the Reds against Watford (2-0) earlier this Saturday to start this 31st day of the Premier League, the Cityzens perfectly managed the pressure by going to win on the lawn of Burnley by the same score (2-0), as part of the traditional 4 p.m. multiplex at Her Majesty’s Kingdom.
Manchester City ensures
With an unprecedented hinge composed of Laporte and Aké, due to the absence of Dias, long-time injured, and Stones, too tight to start this game, Pep Guardiola’s men unfolded without ever being worried by a formation that seemed be light years away from them. The little thrill caused by Brownhill (2nd) did not destabilize Man City. De Bruyne quickly took advantage of a nice discount from Sterling to light the skylight of Pope (5th), before the English winger did it again, this time for Gündoğan, after, again, a combination between Sterling and KDB (25th).
If the Burnley nets no longer trembled after this quick break, the Sky Blues multiplied the chances, however too timid to endanger the opposing goalkeeper (51st, 58th), except on this post signed Jesus ( 80th). The main thing was anyway elsewhere for Manchester City, which recovers its place as leader of the Premier League, with, again, a step ahead of Liverpool. Enough to promise a shock more boiling than ever at the Etihad Stadium next weekend. For its part, Burnley, penultimate in the championship, will have to fight hard until the end despite their 3 games behind.
Chelsea sinks
Chelsea certainly carried out the bad operation of the day by conceding their 4th defeat of the season, at home, against promoted Brentford (1-4). In difficulty against the Bees block well in place and boldly playing his shots, the Blues must have thought they had done the hardest part when Rüdiger, with a heavy long shot, opened the scoring under the London sun (48th). But the training trained by Thomas Frank has the resource and was not let down. Within 10 minutes, Brentford turned the tide at Stamford Bridge.
Janelt first quickly responded to the very courted central defender on a service from Frenchy Mbeumo (50th), before Eriksen, for the good story of the day, gave his team the advantage (54th). The German midfielder then offered himself a double, with a sumptuous dive, to make the surprise break in this part (60th). Chelsea pushed to pick up the score, but it was a day without for Thomas Tuchel’s men, like this face-to-face missed by Havertz (68th), punished by the incoming Wissa in end of the game (87th). Chelsea are losing their feathers and could see Arsenal, in the event of a victory at Crystal Palace on Monday, come back to within three units of the podium. Brentford offers a prestigious success and takes the air on the red zone.
Wolverhampton continue to dream of Europe
In the other time slot matches, Norwich brought back a point from Brighton (0-0) but remained bottom of the Premier League, while Maupay missed the winning penalty (29th). Same story for Southampton, traveling to Leeds (1-1), which ended a series of 4 defeats in a row. Finally, Wolverhampton took the best of Aston Villa (2-1), after a final save from Sá in front of Cash (90th + 5). What confirms that the Wolves have every intention of getting involved until the end in the race for Europe in this English championship.
The afternoon results
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Brighton 0-0 Norwich
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Burnley 0-2 Manchester City : De Bruyne (5th), Gundogan (25th)
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Chelsea 1-4 Brentford : Rüdiger (48th) / Janelt (50th, 61st), Eriksen (54th), Wissa (87th)
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Leeds 1-1 Southampton: Harrisson (29th) / Ward-Prowse (49th)
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Wolverhampton 2-1 Aston Villa: Johnny (7th), Young (csc, 36th) / Watkins (86th, sp)
