Manchester City took a giant leap towards a historic fourth successive Premier League title with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Erling Haaland’s second-half double sealed the win, extinguishing Spurs’ top-four hopes and confirming Aston Villa’s Champions League qualification for the first time.
Pep Guardiola’s side now stand just one win away from another crown. A victory over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday would cement their dominance over English football for another season.
The match was a tense affair, with Tottenham playing with surprising spirit despite knowing a draw or loss would benefit their bitter rivals Arsenal.
City’s Stefan Ortega, replacing Ederson after an early collision, put on a goalkeeping masterclass, denying Tottenham numerous opportunities, including a crucial one-on-one save against Son Heung-min.
Haaland broke the deadlock six minutes after the break, tapping in Kevin de Bruyne’s precise cross.
Ortega’s heroics continued, keeping Tottenham at bay with spectacular saves that had Guardiola visibly relieved on the touchline.
The match was sealed in stoppage time when Haaland converted a penalty, his 38th goal of the season, following a foul on Jeremy Doku by Pedro Porro.
The victory, driven by the lethal combination of Haaland and De Bruyne, further highlights City’s resilience and ability to secure results even when not at their best.
With a two-point lead over Arsenal, they now have their sights set firmly on another championship celebration.
Arsenal’s faint title hopes rest on West Ham pulling off a shock upset, while they must focus on defeating Everton at home.
The stage is set for a dramatic season finale, but with City’s relentless form, the title appears to be within their grasp.