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Man City MCI Sterling (45+2), De Bruyne (Pen 51'), Foden (90+1)
3 - 0
-
Full Time
Arsenal ARS
Man City Arsenal

Report & events

Man City 3-0 Arsenal: Sterling and De Bruyne score in easy win

It was a comfortable return to Premier League action for Guardiola's men, who put Liverpool's title celebrations back another week

Manchester City easily defeated Arsenal 3-0 at an empty Etihad on Wednesday, meaning that Liverpool cannot win their first ever Premier League title in the Merseyside Derby this weekend.

If Pep Guardiola’s men had lost in their return fixture, Liverpool would have been crowned champions with a win against Everton. But, Jurgen Klopp and his charges will now have to wait until Crystal Palace next week, if of course, they defeat the Toffees.

City have known for a while that they were out of the title race, but had to negotiate nine more fixtures before the end of the season, with them looking behind them towards Leicester City rather than forward.

However, they were professional in their first game back, and dominated Arsenal pretty much from the get-go, enjoying 70% possession and firing 20 shots on goal.

They eventually took the lead a few moments after the break when Raheem Sterling sent an emphatic half-volley into the left corner from a tight angle, with the Gunners’ defence left static.

THE GOALS

Things were already going badly for Arsenal as they were a goal down and had to make two changes in the first half to injured players. One of the subs coming on, David Luiz, was subsequently sent off for a professional foul on Riyad Mahrez inside the box, Kevin De Bruyne scoring the resulting penalty.

After a long disruption due to an injury to Eric Garcia, who collided with his goalkeeper Ederson, play recommenced which allowed City to score a third via Phil Foden.

⚽ FC Man of the Match: Kevin De Bruyne (8.1)

⚽ See All Player Ratings and Statistics

Man City has won the match.
  • GOAL!!! 3-0
    Goal by Phil Foden.
    90+1'
  • Player IN
    Substitute in, Sergio Agüero.
  • Player OUT
    Substitute out, Gabriel Jesus.
    80'
  • Yellow card
    Yellow card for Rodri.
    79'
    Yellow card

  • Yellow card for Kieran Tierney.
    76'
  • Player IN
    Substitute in, Fernandinho.
  • Player IN
    Substitute in, Rodri.
  • Player OUT
    Substitute out, Aymeric Laporte.
  • Player OUT
    Substitute out, Kevin De Bruyne.
    70'
    Player IN

  • Substitute in, Alexandre Lacazette.
    Player IN

  • Substitute in, Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
    Player IN

  • Substitute in, Reiss Nelson.
    Player OUT

  • Substitute out, Eddie Nketiah.
    Player OUT

  • Substitute out, Mattéo Guendouzi.
    Player OUT

  • Substitute out, Joe Willock.
    67'
  • Player IN
    Substitute in, Bernardo Silva.
  • Player IN
    Substitute in, Phil Foden.
  • Player OUT
    Substitute out, David Silva.
  • Player OUT
    Substitute out, Riyad Mahrez.
    65'
  • GOAL!!! 2-0
    Penalty scored by Kevin De Bruyne.
    51'
    Red card!

  • Red card for David Luiz.
    49'
  • GOAL!!! 1-0
    Goal by Raheem Sterling.
    45+2'
    Player IN

  • Substitute in, David Luiz.
    Player OUT

  • Substitute out, Pablo Marí.
    24'
    Player IN

  • Substitute in, Dani Ceballos.
    Player OUT

  • Substitute out, Granit Xhaka.
    8'