Man City get Premier League bonus from thumping Champions League win

Manchester City are one step closer to their Champions League goal - and they may have moved forward in the Premier League as well.

It wasn't just their own fans who took notice of the midweek victory, beating Bayern Munich was a result that resonated across Europe. That included North London, with football phone-ins after the game containing plenty of Arsenal fans with growing concerns at how good Pep Guardiola's side are looking.

This is the incalculable trade-off serving as an undercurrent in the Premier League title race: is a fresh Arsenal or a busy City better placed to get over the line? The last few days have seen a swing towards the Blues.

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From the dreamy state that Gunners were living when they were two goals up at Anfield, Mikel Arteta's leaders had to be content to escape with a point after the home team recovered to finish the game strongly. For those Arsenal players keen to get straight back on the pitch and return to winning ways, a week-long wait before a game against West Ham.

City almost ran onto the bus from Southampton after their match on Saturday as they looked to maximise their rest time before preparing for the huge Champions League game on Tuesday. They trained in foul weather and played an exhausting game in foul weather, yet they have added to their momentum and that brings its own energy.

City will have to do that again; they are in action at home to Leicester on Saturday evening before making the long slog to Munich and then Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final as they look to make progress in three competitions. But the more they win and play well, the less confident teams will be about upcoming fixtures.

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