Guardiola says Premier League destiny finally in Manchester City's hands

MANCHESTER, England: Manchester City wrestled control of the Premier League title race from Arsenal with a 4-1 thumping in their top-of-table clash on Wednesday (Apr 26), to the thrill of manager Pep Guardiola, who said destiny was finally in his team's hands.

"Absolutely my position now (is what I prefer over Arsenal's)," he said. "It's in our hands. I'd love to have six points from these two games (in hand), but we have to win them."

Guardiola's side are just two points off the top with two games in hand, and can take the lead with a victory on Sunday at Fulham.

And their recent form suggests they will - they are unbeaten in 17 matches in all competitions after 14 wins and three draws.

Guardiola said their next three games will "dictate a lot".

"We have two games at home (following Sunday, versus West Ham and Leeds United), and I don't want to anticipate because it's not healthy, but this season at home, we feel comfortable with the people, the crowd," Guardiola said of the Etihad Stadium, which was a rocking sea of sky blue on Wednesday.

"I think the next three games will be really, really important. But the most important thing is our destiny is in our hands. And when you arrive at the end of the season, whatever happened, it doesn't matter. It's our performance, to win the (remaining) games, it depends on us. This is the best way to approach the last seven games we still have."

Kevin De Bruyne scored twice and Erling Haaland also found the net to claim the record for most goals in a 38-game Premier League season, with his 33rd strike of the campaign.

"The threat, Kevin-Erling, Erling-Kevin is so, so important," Guardiola said. "Being together, when teams press so high and we regain balls with the space behind, they're so