MANCHESTER CITY EXTENDED their unbeaten streak to 23 games in all competitions on Sunday afternoon, disposing of Arsenal 3-1 at the Etihad in yet another impressive performance which extends their lead at the head of the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s side have now claimed 31 points from 33 after 11 games this season, with Sunday’s win extending their lead at the top of the table to eight points.
Goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and substitute Gabriel Jesus put Arsene Wenger’s side to the sword in a performance which could have yielded even more goals had City been more potent in front of goal.
De Bruyne has earned the namesake as the Premier League’s best player this season — he proved his worth once again to give his side the lead with a sublime strike from range.
An initial effort outside the box was well parried by Petr Cech, however the ball soon found its way back to the Belgian. He exchanged a neat one-two before taking the ball onto his left foot and swinging a low drive flying into the goalkeeper bottom far corner.
Before kick-off Aguero was honoured as the greatest goalscorer in City’s history and it was the Argentine striker who doubled their lead after the break from the spot kick.
A clever through ball into the box saw Raheem Sterling peel away from his marker before colliding with Nacho Monreal to earn a penalty, which Aguero duly slotted home.
There was much consternation at the absence of £50 million signing Alexandre Lacazette from manager Arsene Wenger’s starting XI.
He was finally introduced two goals down after 57 minutes but managed to make a game of it by halving the deficit eight minutes after his introduction.
It was a fine low strike inside the box which gave Ederson little chance of keeping it out. Although the goal looked like giving optimism to the travelling supporters who made the trip from London, City’s two goal cushion was soon restored.
Less than 10 minutes after Lacazette’s strike, fellow second half introduction Jesus made sure of the three points with just over 15 minutes to go.
The goal will be a major talking point in the days that follow after David Silva appeared offside in the build-up. The decision was not given however, with the Spaniard cutting the ball back to the 20-year-old who tapped the ball past Cech to make it 3-1 — Jesus’ seventh goal of the season.
Arsenal looked defeated thereafter, with Mesut Ozil’s 90th minute booking for kicking the ball away a fitting illustration of his side’s disappointment and irritation.
The defeat means Arsenal go level on points with Burnley in 6th, while City continue to soar unabated at the head of the table with a 10th win in 11 games in the Premier League this season.
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