Premier League: Manchester City overtakes Arsenal and takes the lead in the home stretch.

Manchester City temporarily took the top spot in the English championship from Arsenal, who had held it since early October without interruption, by winning 1-0 against second-to-last Burnley on Wednesday. Burnley has officially been relegated to the second division. Arsenal will regain the lead with a win or draw on Saturday against Newcastle during the 34th round, but Manchester City still has an advantage with a postponed match against Crystal Palace.

On Wednesday, Pep Guardiola’s team did not shine at Turf Moor but managed to secure the victory they needed to climb to the top of the Premier League, just three days after their win against the Gunners (2-1).

Burnley Relegated

Their record is identical to Arsenal’s (70 points and +37 goal difference) after 33 games played, but City surpasses them in the standings with more goals scored (66 against 63).

Erling Haaland scored in the fifth minute, his 24th goal of the season in the Premier League, securing the win for the Citizens. The Norwegian striker outdid goalkeeper Martin Dubravka with a left-footed finesse shot after a powerful sprint initiated by a pass from Jérémy Doku (5th minute, 1-0).

The visitors dominated but were unable to extend their lead, allowing their hosts to come dangerously close to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal, even in the final moments of the match.

For Burnley, this marks their 22nd defeat in 34 matches, leading to relegation to the Championship (D2), the third time in five seasons for the Clarets who are accustomed to fluctuating between the two divisions.

In the other match of the evening, Bournemouth was equalized in stoppage time by Leeds (2-2). Despite this, Bournemouth, with French striker Junior Kroupi scoring his 11th goal in the Premier League, climbed to seventh place, displacing Chelsea in the process.

Original article published on RMC Sport