Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League table with an impressive 3-1 over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. With a vital victory, the reigning champions returned to the top spot for the first time since November. Manchester City turned on the power in the second half of the biggest game as the Gunners paid a heavy price for individual errors. Goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland inside the final 20 minutes gave a crucial momentum shift in the title race. Mikel Arteta’s men are only off the top on goal difference and still have a game in hand on their rivals.

Arsenal played better from the start, but City managed to score the opener through Kevin de Bruyne in the 24th minute of the game. Grealish chased a ball down the left, but Takehiro Tomiyasu got ahead of him and played a blind pass back toward his keeper. De Bruyne ran in no time to loft a brilliant finish over Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

But Arsenal responded well and deservedly drew level three minutes before half-time when Bukayo Saka scored calmly from the penalty spot after City goalkeeper Ederson took out Eddie Nketiahc in the box. City keeper went the wrong way as Saka shot the ball into the bottom left of the net. Both teams looked to continue with the momentum from the start of the second half. The visitors had a second-half penalty overturned when VAR correctly ruled Haaland had been offside.

However, City doubled their lead in the 72nd minute through a brilliant team effort. Haaland was sent scampering into a bit of space down the right by Bernardo Silva, who took advantage of Gabriel’s poor pass. Haaland thought about the shooting but rolled infield for Gundogan on the edge of the box. Gundogan played it to Grealish, rushing in from the left. Grealish took a fine touch before settling it into the bottom right. A deflection flummoxed Ramsdale, but that was a fine goal.

Haaland made it 3-1 in the 82nd minute to seal the victory. De Bruyne ran into the box down the right, chasing Gundogan’s pass. De Bruyne then cut back for Haaland, who took a touch and then produced a wonderful shot across Ramsdale to find the left bottom.

Manchester City made it 11 Premier League wins in a row against Arsenal. Arsenal will visit the Etihad Stadium in a potentially decisive clash on April 26.