Two more wins.
That’s all that separates Manchester City from becoming English champions for an unprecedented fourth year in a row.
However, it is game over for Burnley, whose relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Saturday with a game remaining.
On a crucial day at both ends of the standings, City secured another big win by beating Fulham 4–0 to move two points clear of Arsenal. The top two each have two games left, and Arsenal next face Manchester United on Sunday.
However, Arsenal finish the season the same way but if Pep Guardiola’s side beat Tottenham on Tuesday and beat West Ham at home to the final on May 19, the title will be City’s.
“My players like to play with pressure. They are used to it,” said Guardiola, whose team has won five of the last six Premier League games. “Players enjoy this feeling.
“This season it’s the same – don’t think about anything other than the next game. Focus on winning the next game and then we’ll see what happens.”
Josko Guardiol enhanced his status as Guardiola’s unpredictable goalscorer by scoring twice for City, with the left back having scored five goals in his last seven matches. Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez also scored at Craven Cottage, as City extended their unbeaten run to 33 matches in all competitions.
In the 136-year history of English football, no team has won the top division four years in a row. It is the latest distance record to be touched by Guardiola’s City, who also reach the FA Cup final against Man United on May 25.
burnley down
Of the three teams relegated to the Premier League this season, two are certain to be relegated back to the Championship after a year.
It’s not looking good for the third either.
Burnley had to beat Tottenham to have a chance of a second consecutive season in the league, but lost 2–1 and joined already relegated Sheffield United.
Luton lost 3–1 to West Ham and were left on the brink of being relegated to third place. It was reprieved, however, when fourth-placed Nottingham Forest lost the lead and lost 3–2 at home to Chelsea.
Forest were three points above Luton and had a better goal difference of 12. In the final round of games next weekend, Forest visit Burnley and Luton host Fulham – and there should be a huge and unlikely swing in goal difference for Luton. survive.
Last season, all three promoted teams avoided relegation for the first time since 2018.
Spurs keep hope alive
Tottenham kept their Champions League qualification hopes alive with a come-from-behind win over Burnley, secured by Micky van de Veen’s 82nd-minute goal.
Spurs’ first goal was also scored by a defender – right back Pedro Porro – to start the fightback.
Spurs closed the gap on fourth-placed Aston Villa to four points with both teams having two games in hand. Villa can secure fourth place from the Premier League and the final automatic Champions League spot by beating Liverpool on Monday.
other results
In the battle to qualify for minor European competitions, Newcastle finished sixth – but fell six points behind Tottenham after a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton. Newcastle are level with Chelsea on points, with both teams three points ahead of eighth-placed Man United.
Brentford won 2–1 at Bournemouth, Crystal Palace beat Wolverhampton 3–1 and Everton beat Sheffield United 1–0 for their fifth consecutive home win.
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Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
