The Premier League title is Arsenal’s to lose once more after Manchester City crumbled in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Everton to leave the Gunners three games from glory.
Arsenal did their job by applying the pressure in a 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday.
At the other end of the table, there was also cause for celebration in north London this weekend as Tottenham climbed out of the relegation zone.
City ultimately did well to salvage a point from the Hill Dickinson Stadium after battling back from 3-1 down with seven minutes remaining.
But the manner of their defensive collapse in the second half does not inspire confidence they can even win their remaining four games to force Arsenal to take another nine points.
Everton had barely mounted an attack in the first half, but were suddenly gifted chances galore by glaring City errors.
By contrast, Arsenal’s title challenge has been built on solid foundations, and they finally found some form as an attacking force against Fulham.
The return of Bukayo Saka to the starting line-up for the first time in six weeks saw Mikel Arteta’s men score three goals for the first time in 16 games.
Arsenal now just need to beat West Ham, already-relegated Burnley, and Crystal Palace to end a 22-year wait to be crowned champions.
Tottenham turn it round
Spurs waited 118 days for a Premier League win in 2026 prior to last weekend’s scrappy 1-0 victory at Wolves.
Roberto De Zerbi insisted all his side needed was to break that duck for confidence to flow back and they looked a completely different team in an impressive 2-1 win at Aston Villa.
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De Zerbi said; “In football it is very easy to change. If you lose, you are stupid. If you win, you are a champion. You have to find a balance.
“We have to remember in ourselves what we have done in the past.”
Has Carrick earned Man United job?
Michael Carrick has achieved the goal he was set when placed in charge at Old Trafford in January by returning the Red Devils to the Champions League.
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United cruised to a top-five finish with three games to spare after edging Liverpool 3-2 in a chaotic clash that exposed the weaknesses in both sides.
On paper Carrick’s results are mightily impressive. A return of 10 wins from 14 games also includes statement wins over Arsenal, City, and Chelsea.
But the performances have often been less convincing, while United have had the massive advantage in the Premier League of having no European football to contend with.
Carrick has immense experience of life at United as a player, coach and now manager.
Outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann have been linked as potential candidates, but Carrick has made himself the frontrunner.
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