In his latest column, Sky Sports’ Paul Merson says the Premier League title race could come down to goal difference – with Manchester City needing to thrash Burnley to take charge of top spot.
Sunday’s 2-1 win for City over title rivals Arsenal moved Pep Guardiola’s side to just three points off the Gunners with a game in hand.
City (+36) are just one back from Arsenal (+37) on goal difference but have scored more, meaning any victory over second-bottom side Burnley on Wednesday will move them top of the table, but Merson says Guardiola’s team need more than a slender victory to take control of the race.
Read below for the Magic Man’s thoughts on the top of the table…
‘It will come down to how much Man City beat Burnley by’
Arsenal’s performance was good at the Etihad, but they lost a game they couldn’t afford to lose. You don’t need to be playing well and losing football matches. From absolutely nowhere, Manchester City are top of the league on Wednesday. It’s scary.
Arsenal haven’t got an advantage anymore – but after Man City’s game at Burnley, they do go and play two games before City next play. Arsenal could go six points clear again – and they’ve got to make that count.
They have to win those two games against Newcastle and Fulham to put the pressure back on City. It’s a must.
City’s last five games? They don’t look too hard for them. They’ve got Everton and Brentford – two teams fighting for Europe – but two of their other games are absolutely gimmes. They’ve got Crystal Palace at home, who may have one eye on a Conference League final.
And then on the final day they’ve got Aston Villa, I’m pretty sure they will have already secured Champions League football and the priority that week would be the Europa League final (played four days before the final day of the Premier League season). So that’s a nothing game.
For me, it’s all about by how much Man City beat Burnley on Wednesday night. It comes down to that.
Wednesday 22nd April 7:00pm
Kick off 8:00pm
If they don’t score many, and the goal difference between the two teams is one or two goals, Arsenal are back in the title race. If City don’t rip Burnley up by four or five, they’re not going to do that against Everton in their next game.
Everton are very good defensively, so are Brentford who City play after that. Bournemouth, who they play in the second last game of the season, are also very good at the back.
The Premier League title race could come down to goal difference.
‘Martinelli has to be switched on for Man City winner’
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester City’s match against Arsenal in the Premier League
Arsenal were unlucky at the Etihad. Kai Havertz slipped when he should have scored in the second half. Eberechi Eze had that shot which hit the post and rolled along the line – on another day, at the start of the season when you’re a bit more free, that goes in.
And how unlucky were Arsenal with Gabriel’s header. It could have easy hit O’Reilly’s arm and if it does, it’s a penalty. But unbelievably, it hits his side and then bounces off the post.
But I don’t like people not picking people up. And Gabriel Martinelli didn’t when he failed to track Nico O’Reilly’s run for Manchester City’s winner.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Micah Richards analyses Manchester City’s decisive winner at the Etihad and picks out where Arsenal went wrong
Don’t worry about pressing Marc Guehi. Guehi’s not the problem. He’s standing on the edge of his own box, let him have it there! He switched off, and when you switch off, that’s what happens.
When you’re at a club like Arsenal, you get told to do these things once. Once. You can’t keep getting told.
Yes, O’Reilly still has the whole length of the pitch to run. But Martinelli’s got to nip that in the bud. You’ve got to know that’s the danger.