The Premier League title race has intensified at the halfway point. Arsenal barely managed a last-minute goal victory against Wolves on Saturday, strengthening their position at the top of the league. However, Manchester City closed the points gap on Sunday. In a Premier League match, Pep Guardiola's team secured a commanding 3-0 victory against Crystal Palace. Star striker Erling Haaland caught attention with a brace. In another match, Nottingham Forest, sitting 16th in the league table, provided a surprise by defeating Tottenham 3-0.
Man City's Victory
Despite being an away match, City pressed their attack from the start against Jean-Philippe Mateta's side. Haaland put City ahead in the 41st minute. He scored with a powerful header from Matheus Nunes' cross into the box from the right flank. Despite several attempts, Pino-Mateta couldn't find an equalizer. Bringing on Nketiah and Will Hughes in the second half didn't help either.
Bringing all three points back to Manchester!
Phil Foden extended City's lead in the 68th minute. Rayan Cherki advanced the ball in a counter-attack. Foden evaded the defenders and found the net. Haaland made it 3-0 from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.
This takes his Premier League goal tally to 16 for the current season. With 34 points from 16 matches, Man City moved up to second in the league table. Arsenal at the top have 36 points.
Tottenham's Defeat
16th-placed Nottingham Forest secured a 3-0 victory against Tottenham. Callum Hudson-Odoi put Forest ahead with goals in the 28th and 50th minutes. Ibrahim Sangare sealed the victory in the 79th minute. Richarlison, Kolo Muani, and Xavi Simons couldn't manage a single goal in response. This is the first time since 1987 that Nottingham has beaten Tottenham by such a margin.
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In another hard-fought match, Aston Villa defeated West Ham 3-2. They moved up to third place with 33 points, just one point behind second-placed City.
