Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane celebrate
Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane celebrate

Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal: Home comforts at the Etihad Stadium


Manchester City powered on at the top of the Premier League with a convincing 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

Kevin De Bruyne scored City's 50th goal of the season during a dominant first-half display before Sergio Aguero added a penalty.

Kevin De Bruyne makes it 1-0 for Manchester City against Arsenal
Kevin De Bruyne makes it 1-0 for Manchester City against Arsenal

Substitute Alexandre Lacazette pulled one back for the visitors but Gabriel Jesus wrapped up City's club record-extending 15th successive win after 74 minutes.

Arsenal may have had grievances over two of City's goals but the hosts were full value for their victory, which was also their ninth in succession in the Premier League.

City are now as short as 1/7 with Sky Bet to win the Premier League title.

Arsenal have been pushed out from 66/1 to 100/1 to finish top and go to 7/4 from 11/10 for a top-four finish.

The biggest pre-match RequestABet winner with Sky Bet was Xhaka, Koscielny, Sanchez and Otamendi to be carded at 50/1.

There was a live 40/1 RequestABet winner as Manchester City 3‐1 and Aguero and De Bruyne to score came in.

Post-match reaction

Arsene Wenger called the level of refereeing unacceptable after claiming Michael Oliver was at fault for two of Manchester City's goals.

Wenger told Sky Sports News: "Overall, once again, the referee made the decision today with a soft penalty and an offside goal but we are used to it when we come here."

Asked to expand on his comments, Wenger added: "I feel they don't work enough. The referees don't work enough because the level drops every season at the moment and, overall, it's unacceptable.

"The physical level is very good but the decisions. The third goal, at 2-1 we are in the game and he (Oliver) gives a clear offside goal. And, of course, that kills the game for us.

"They are a top team but that (bad decisions) makes it even more difficult for you."

City manager Pep Guardiola preferred not to be drawn into a debate over Wenger's comments, instead concentrating on his own side's performance.

When asked if he wanted to comment on what Wenger had said, Guardiola replied: "No. We won in the best way and we deserved by far the victory.

"Sometimes it's like this (but what's) important is the performance. We want to try to play and we did it really well."

Guardiola added: "Well done (to my players), it was well deserved. We fought in the bad moments, when we were tired, mentally we were stable. I was pleased with the performance. The third goal helped us to win the game."

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