Man City back on top as Arsenal rekindle Champions League dreams

Manchester City’s Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team third goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on April 20, 2022. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) /

Manchester City regained the top spot in the Premier League from Liverpool with a 3-0 win over Brighton on Wednesday, while Arsenal revived their push for the top four by beating Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool stormed to the top of the table by tearing Manchester United to shreds in a 4-0 win at Anfield on Tuesday.

City were not so sparkling but held their nerve to edge back one point ahead in the title race thanks to second-half goals from Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva.

“We are facing one of the best teams ever,” said City boss Pep Guardiola at going head-to-head with Liverpool.

“If we drop points they will be champions, if we win all our games we will be champions.”

Mahrez was guilty of missing the best chances of a tense first 45 minutes for the English champions against a Brighton side that had won at Arsenal and Tottenham in their last two outings.

However, there was little doubt over the outcome once Mahrez bundled the ball home after Kevin De Bruyne’s burst opened up the visitors’ defence.

There was a hint of fortune about City’s second as Foden’s shot from a well-worked corner deflected past Robert Sanchez.

Silva then sealed the points with a sumptuous finish from De Bruyne’s lay-off.

Gunners finally fire Arsenal were in pole position for a return to the Champions League until a run of three consecutive defeats.

But they moved level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham after a