Manchester City’s emphatic victory over Arsenal has given them complete control of the Premier League title race.
If anything, the 4-1 scoreline was flattered by an overwhelmed Arsenal side, with City wasting many more chances in addition to the four they continued to keep away.
Kevin De Bruyne scored twice, with John Stones and Erling Haaland also on target, as Pep Guardiola’s side came within two points of the leaders.
However, City have two games left, meaning they have their destiny in their own hands as we enter the latter part of the season.
So, can someone slow down the City juggernaut? We rate their remaining hurdles and the likelihood of them slipping.
Man City are in control of the Premier League title race after an emphatic victory over Arsenal
Arsenal have gone four games without a win as their dreams of a first title since 2004 fade
It was difficult for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to take on his mentor Pep Guardiola
Although Arsenal have a two-point lead at the top, City still have two games in hand
Sunday 30 April vs Fulham (away)
City’s next assignment is at Craven Cottage against a mid-tier Fulham side who have lost more games than won in recent weeks.
Marco Silva’s side have been impressive this season, finally showing their place in the Premier League, but are unlikely to match City.
Although it took a last-minute Haaland penalty to beat them at the Etihad in November after Joao Cancelo was sent off before half-time, City are now a much more dangerous proposition.
Fulham fell to a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Tuesday night and you really can’t look beyond another City win on Sunday.
Hazard rating: 2/5
Wednesday May 3 vs West Ham United (home)
City will play one of their two games with West Ham on their way to the Etihad next week.
The Hammers have been uncomfortably close to the relegation places all season, but recent victories over Southampton, Fulham and Bournemouth have eased their situation.
Wednesday night’s loss to Liverpool leaves them fully in the relegation battle, so City can expect some resistance.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to imagine anything other than three points for Pep Guardiola’s side in this game as they look to outshine Arsenal and reach the top.
Hazard rating: 2/5
Haaland put the icing on the cake after hanging his head to give Man City fourth in Wednesday night’s win over Arsenal
Saturday May 6 vs Leeds United (home)
Another team threatened with relegation visits the Etihad the following Saturday. Leeds are struggling to get the wins they need to get out of the drop zone for good.
You wouldn’t really give them much hope for a surprise in this one either, with the only real danger for City being their minds distracted by the looming Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid.
It may mean Guardiola shakes up his pack and gives some key players a break, but you’d still expect them to have too much for Javi Gracia’s side.
Hazard rating: 1/5
Sunday May 14 vs Everton (away)
Sandwiched between the two legs of Real Madrid’s semi-final is a short trip to Merseyside to take on Everton.
In what is becoming a recurring theme, City must take on the challenge of a team desperately fighting to retain their Premier League status.
Everton are unlikely to be safe at this point and will need a point or three, potentially making life difficult for a City team, possibly tired of their play at the Bernabeu.
Expect a bit more Guardiola rotation, but Everton will really have to do something to beat the opposition.
Hazard rating: 2/5
Tensions ran high towards the end as Arsenal grew increasingly frustrated with their performance
Sunday May 21 vs Chelsea (home)
By the time City meet Chelsea on May 21, we will know if their attempt to finally win the Champions League is still on track after Real Madrid’s draw.
Having gone out, Guardiola will have to avoid any kind of hangover when they play against Chelsea a few days later. If they beat Real and reach the final in Istanbul, that sense of unstoppable dynamism will only increase.
Whatever happens, they meet a Chelsea who has been just a shadow of themselves this season and is likely to topple over, as they have often done lately.
Hazard rating: 1/5
Wednesday May 24 vs Brighton and Hove Albion (away)
A packed schedule means City’s second game can only be squeezed into the final week of the season.
They travel to Brighton and this could well be the game they clinch the title depending on Arsenal’s results in the interim, as they did on the final day in 2019.
The Seagulls are having an excellent season and will hope to still push for a European place by the time this game comes around.
This looks to be City’s most challenging assignment of the run-up to the Premier League, so they hope to cross the finish line at this point.
Hazard rating: 3/5
City hope to clinch another Premier League title soon as they chase the Treble
Sunday May 28 vs Brentford (away)
When it comes down to it, City will try to clinch the title at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium on May 28, the last day of the season.
In an ideal world, they’ll have packed up this afternoon to avoid any nervousness, but it’s clear they’ll start as favorites to face middle division side Brentford.
At the same time, Arsenal host Wolves just a few miles away from the capital and all neutrals are hoping for a ‘helicopter Sunday’ with the Premier League trophy flown to the winner.
Hazard rating: 2/5
The semi-final of the Champions League with Real Madrid
Thrown into the mix is City’s two-legged Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, the team that knocked them out of the competition last season.
It really is a tough draw given Real’s excellence in the league, but City have never looked so strong meeting them.
The first leg will be played at the Bernabéu on May 9, the return at home on May 17.
City capitulated last season in the Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu
Guardiola’s team was a stone’s throw from the final for Real’s astonishing late show
If City go through, they will face Inter Milan or AC Milan in the final at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium on June 10.
As they pursue a Treble only previously won by rivals Manchester United in 1999, City will be aware of the importance of the Real games and the psychological impact it will have on their league campaign.
They are also likely to exhaust more than their remaining league games, so Guardiola will need to keep a close eye on his players’ stamina.
What about Arsenal’s remaining games?
Arsenal are now out of control of the title race and their remaining five games also look more difficult than City’s.
Mikel Arteta has the mammoth task of lifting a group of players who have now gone four games without tasting victory as a golden opportunity for a first title since 2004 slips through their fingers.
They will probably be knocked out of first place by the time they play Chelsea in their next game on Tuesday night.
Then it’s a tough trip to Newcastle, a home game with Brighton, a visit to Nottingham Forest and that final home game with Wolves.
They don’t have the distraction of major European games, but the Gunners will just have to be flawless from here to have any chance of doing it.