MANCHESTER: Erling Haaland equaled the Premier League document for objectives in a 38-game season on Saturday as Manchester Town closed the space on leaders Arsenal to only 3 issues after an afternoon of drama within the top-four race. The Norway ahead netted two times within the first 1/2 of Town’s 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Leicester to achieve 32 objectives — the similar as Liverpool ahead Mohamed Salah’s tally in 2017/18. John Stones opened the scoring on the Etihad Stadium prior to a purpose from the penalty spot and a suave dinked end from Haaland. Pep Guardiola substituted the 22-year-old at half-time, denying him the danger to seek down the entire single-season document of 34 objectives within the Premier League technology — set within the days of 42 video games in step with facet.
Leicester, with Dean Smith in fee for the primary time, pulled a purpose again in the second one 1/2 thru Kelechi Iheanacho however they slumped to a fourth instantly defeat and stay 2d from backside of the desk. Town, chasing a 5th Premier League identify in six years, are on 70 issues, 3 at the back of Arsenal with 8 video games to move — the Gunners play West Ham on Sunday. The 2 groups meet on the Etihad on April 26 in a possible title-decider — Town’s subsequent league fixture. “Like I stated in recent times, it’s win, win and win,” stated Guardiola, whose facet have now received 10 consecutive video games in all competitions.
“They have got had an implausible run this season and I don’t suppose they will drop many issues, so what we need to do is be there. It was once essential for us to win nowadays to reach for the ‘ultimate’ we have now in opposition to them within the subsequent Premier League recreation.” Villa shape Aston Villa put themselves within the combine for a top-four end via beating Newcastle 3-0 for a 5th instantly league win as Tottenham additionally misplaced. Villa are nonetheless six issues off the highest 4, however are in red-hot shape after a 7th win in 8 video games. Ollie Watkins, who has now scored 11 objectives in 12 suits, netted two times after Jacob Ramsey had fired Unai Emery’s males into an early lead.
Emery, who took over at Villa Park in October, was once wary about his facet’s probabilities of qualifying for the Champions League regardless of their spectacular run. “We will take into consideration being a candidate for a Europa (League) place however the peak 4 may be very, very tough,” stated the Spaniard. “In fact if we stay successful we will be able to upload for the following weeks, however now not now.” Newcastle had received their earlier 5 video games to climb to 3rd however slightly laid a glove on Villa to go away Eddie Howe’s males having a look over their shoulders.
With Manchester United now not in motion till Sunday, at Nottingham Woodland, Tottenham had the danger to transport into the highest 4 however blew it as Bournemouth took a doubtlessly decisive step in opposition to survival with a 3-2 win. Son Heung-min fired Spurs into an early lead, however the Cherries hit again with objectives from Matias Vina and Dominic Solanke. Replace Arnaut Danjuma appeared to have salvaged some degree for Spurs when he scored in opposition to his outdated membership two mins from time however Dango Ouattara curled house within the ninety fifth minute to boost Bournemouth six issues transparent of the relegation zone.
Brighton boosted their probabilities of Ecu soccer with a 2-1 win at Chelsea to extend Frank Lampard’s look ahead to a primary victory since returning to Stamford Bridge as period in-between supervisor. Conor Gallagher opened the scoring for Chelsea however Danny Welbeck got here off the bench to equalize simply prior to half-time and Paraguayan teen Julio Enciso received the sport in impressive taste. Crystal Palace and Wolves edged in opposition to protection however it was once a horrible day for Everton, who misplaced 3-1 at house to Fulham.
Backside facet Southampton glance more and more more likely to be relegated after Eberechi Eze scored two times for Palace in a 2-0 win at St Mary’s to clinch a 3rd consecutive victory for the Eagles since Roy Hodgson returned as supervisor. Wolves are seven issues transparent of the drop zone once they beat Brentford 2-0 because of objectives from Diego Costa and Hwang Hee-chan. Everton stay out of doors the relegation zone handiest on purpose distinction once they have been sunk via objectives from Fulham’s Harrison Reed, Harry Wilson and Dan James. – AFP