On Wednesday, April 22, Pep Guardiola’s side beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor, in a match where they were in control almost all the time, although the scoreline did not reflect it.
They were not lacking in dominance, they were lacking in goals.
The goal came from Erling Haaland, after an assist from Jeremy Doku and a left-footed finish that set the tone for the match.
That action was enough to hold on to the lead and take the points.
But beyond the result, what is beginning to take shape is something else.
City goes directly for Arsenal’s leadership
That same day, with that victory, City went top of the Premier League.
And that’s no small detail.
Because it’s not just that he’s chasing Arsenal FC’s lead today. It’s that he has been there before, he knows what it feels like, and that changes the way he approaches this end of the season.
Today the scenario is different, because Arsenal regained the lead after beating Newcastle United 1-0, but the gap is still minimal: three points, with a game in hand for Guardiola’s side.
And that keeps everything open.
Because it’s not just about what has already happened, but what can still happen.
City have not let go of the fight at any time, every game is starting to feel like a way to press, to remind Arsenal that they have no room for error and that the top is not safe for them
Next match:
Their next match will be against Everton on May 4, in another game where the objective is clear: to keep on winning.
At this stage, it’s not enough to just play “well”; it’s about not losing step, about staying close enough.
And Manchester City have already made it clear that they are going for the top spot, because they have already been there… and they don’t intend to let go.
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