{"id":2339,"date":"2026-04-13T02:51:28","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T02:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=2339"},"modified":"2026-04-13T02:51:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T02:51:28","slug":"irresistible-man-citys-pursuit-of-arsenal-is-inevitable-and-unstoppable-after-chelsea-rout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=2339","title":{"rendered":"Irresistible Man City&#8217;s pursuit of Arsenal is inevitable and unstoppable after Chelsea rout"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_b6bb55\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">CHELSEA 0-3 MANCHESTER CITY: Pep Guardiola&#8217;s side are now just six points behind league leaders Arsenal ahead of their showdown at the Etihad next Sunday<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37002416\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Man City celebrate\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37002416.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Chelsea-v-Manchester-City-Premier-League.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37002416.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Chelsea-v-Manchester-City-Premier-League.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37002416.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Chelsea-v-Manchester-City-Premier-League.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37002416.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Chelsea-v-Manchester-City-Premier-League.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"City were irresistible in swatting aside Chelsea\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">City were irresistible in swatting aside Chelsea<cite aria-label=\"Image: CameraSport via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They are closing in at such a pace that it almost feels inevitable. Manchester City have got the bit between their teeth and it is no wonder that Arsenal are getting nervous.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The travelling City fans belted out a chorus of \u201cAre you watching Arsenal?\u201d because you can sense yet another title collapse in North London.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">City have already won the Carabao Cup, they are into the FA Cup semi finals and are hunting down Arsenal in the title race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Pep Guardiola is eyeing up another Treble of trophies as City look an unstoppable, irresistible force and it now only feels like a matter of time before they knock Arsenal off the top. City closed the gap to six points with this win and they have a game in hand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In fact, City can do it in their next two games because if they beat Arsenal in their title showdown next Sunday and then beat Burnley in their re-arranged fixture they could go top on goal difference.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_020eaf\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Man City&#8217;s remaining fixtures compared to Arsenal&#8217;s as Premier League title race heats up<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_020eaf\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Man City send Arsenal title statement with Chelsea mauling &#8211; 5 talking points<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">No wonder Mikel Arteta\u2019s men are looking nervously over their shoulders. It would be one hell of a collapse but this City side make everything look easy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Nico O\u2019Reilly got the opening goal and he has been sensational in recent weeks, scoring six goals in his last 11 appearances and providing assists galore.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Rayan Cherki was just a joy to watch while Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku were also on target as they made such light work of Chelsea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">You would never know that Chelsea were in desperate need of points themselves as they are chasing a Champions League place.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Liam Rosenior watched as his side meekly surrendered in the second half as Guardiola just outwitted Chelsea\u2019s rookie boss. Chelsea have now lost three Premier League games in a row without scoring a goal and their season is in danger of imploding.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Guardiola has been there, seen it and won it all before and he looks cooler then ever, Contrast that to Arsenal boss Arteta who looked like he was losing the plot when his side lost to Bournemouth on Saturday and duly handed the title initiative to City.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">City have dominated this fixture &#8211; winning four of their last five visits to Stamford Bridge before this game &#8211; but they were still made to work hard for it.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37002369\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37002369\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.57\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Manchester City players celebrate\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37002369.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_Chelsea-v-Manchester-City-Premier-League.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37002369.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/1_Chelsea-v-Manchester-City-Premier-League.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37002369.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/1_Chelsea-v-Manchester-City-Premier-League.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37002369.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_Chelsea-v-Manchester-City-Premier-League.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Manchester City have closed the gap on Arsenal\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Manchester City have closed the gap on Arsenal<cite aria-label=\"Image: Ryan Pierse, Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Ryan Pierse, Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea did well in the first half. Marc Cucurella had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside by the tightest VAR margin. Pedro Neto worked City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma who made a smart save.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Incredibly, Erling Haaland did not have a touch or shot in the opposition penalty box for the entire first half but, in fairness to the City striker, more than once he tracked back to regain possession.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, that quickly changed. City looked a team transformed in the second half. Haaland was dominant in the box. City pinned Chelsea back &#8211; and destroyed them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Cherki, City\u2019s mercurial, street footballer of a No.10, worked some space and sent over a cross to the back post and there was O\u2019Reilly to head home. What a second half of the season he is having.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">After 57 minutes it was 2-0. Cherki\u2019s lovely through ball released Guehi and the England defender slotted in with great composure. City signing him and Antoine Semenyo in January changed the course of their season and both players cost less than \u00a3100m combined.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It was 3-0 after 68 minutes. Doku outmuscled Moises Caicedo &#8211; no easy feat &#8211; and then jinked his way through before firing a low shot into the bottom corner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">City are playing the best football, they have hit form at the right time and another title is now within reach. Chelsea, in contrast, were booed off and the wheels are coming off.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em><a aria-label=\"Join our new WhatsApp communityLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Mirror Football<\/strong> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us &#8211; and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you&#8217;re cu <\/em><em>rious, you can read our <a aria-label=\"Privacy NoticeLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CHELSEA 0-3 MANCHESTER CITY: Pep Guardiola&#8217;s side are now just six points behind league leaders<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2340,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2339"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2339\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}