The 'extra point' that could decide if Man City pip Arsenal and Liverpool to Premier League title

Manchester City fans don't need reminding of their 2012 Premier League title victory, becoming the first team to win the crown on goal difference 12 years ago.

That year, City pipped great rivals Manchester United to win their first-ever title, doing so with a superior goal difference of eight goals. Many fans have pinpointed the famous 6-1 win at Old Trafford as the tipping point in that particular title race, with the ten-goal swing ultimately sending the trophy to the Etihad.

Since then, City have boasted the league's best goal difference in eight of the following 11 campaigns, including in 2015 and 2020 when they didn't win the title. This season, they trail both Liverpool and Arsenal on goal difference in an unprecedented three-horse title race.

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As it stood after City's win over Aston Villa, the Blues have a healthy goal difference of 38. Liverpool have 40, and Arsenal have 48. City clawed one goal back on Arsenal with their 4-1 win on Wednesday compared to Arsenal's 2-0 win against Luton. Liverpool faced bottom club Sheffield United on Thursday with a chance to catch Arsenal up and leave City behind.

The frustration at City will come at the fact that they failed to inflict a goal difference blow on either title rival in their four meetings this season. Two draws against Liverpool, and a point from the two meetings against Arsenal saw City having to catch up the difference in separate games, rather than in direct meetings when one goal is effectively worth two in head-to-head goal difference standings.

Arsenal's 1-0 win at the Emirates earlier in the