Manchester City Close Gap on Arsenal as Liverpool End Sunderland’s Unbeaten Home Run

Manchester City reduced the deficit at the top of the Premier League to three points with a commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham, while Liverpool strengthened their push for Champions League qualification by ending Sunderland’s unbeaten home record.

City Turn Up the Pressure

Pep Guardiola’s side, buoyed by a dramatic late comeback win over Liverpool at the weekend that could prove pivotal in the title race, were in complete control at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

City struck three times in a devastating 15-minute spell during the first half to seal a comfortable victory.

Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring — his fifth goal since joining from Bournemouth last month — before turning provider for Nico O’Reilly, who calmly chipped home the second. Erling Haaland then ended a near two-month wait for a Premier League goal from open play, adding the third before being withdrawn after the interval.

“It’s all a fairytale right now,” said Semenyo of his bright start to life at City. “It’s about being part of a great team in a great environment. The manager has been excellent and they’ve made it easy for me to settle.”

Arsenal, who travel to Brentford on Thursday, can restore their six-point advantage. However, with City building momentum, the pressure is mounting on Mikel Arteta’s side in their bid to secure a first league title in 22 years.

Liverpool Boost European Hopes

Liverpool remain sixth in the table but significantly improved their prospects of Champions League football with an impressive 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light.

Virgil van Dijk’s header from a Mohamed Salah corner early in the second half proved decisive, earning only the Reds’ second league win of 2026.

“If you create so many chances, you should score more than one goal,” said manager Arne Slot. “But today it was enough because we defended very, very well in all phases of the game.”

Slot had acknowledged before the match that failure to qualify for the Champions League could place his position under scrutiny, despite guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut campaign.

With English clubs performing strongly in European competitions this season, a top-five finish is expected to secure Champions League qualification. Liverpool now sit two points behind fifth-placed Chelsea and three adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United.

The defeat brought an end to Sunderland’s distinction as the only side unbeaten at home in the league this season, leaving them 11th in the standings.

Villa, Burnley and Forest Drama

Third-placed Aston Villa edged closer to securing their own Champions League berth with a 1-0 victory over Brighton, courtesy of a late own goal from Jack Hinshelwood.

Brighton midfielder James Milner equalled Gareth Barry’s all-time Premier League appearance record with his 653rd outing. The Seagulls, however, are now winless in six matches after Hinshelwood diverted a corner into his own net under pressure from Tyrone Mings.

Burnley ended a 16-match Premier League winless run in dramatic fashion, recovering from two goals down to defeat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Selhurst Park.

Jørgen Strand Larsen struck twice in the opening 33 minutes on his home debut following his club-record £48 million move from Wolves. However, goals from Hannibal Mejbri and Jaidon Anthony drew Burnley level before Jefferson Lerma’s own goal completed the turnaround.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s struggles continued with a 0-0 home draw against Wolves, leaving them just three points above the relegation zone. Reports suggest Sean Dyche’s position is under serious threat, with the club having already dismissed Nuno Espírito Santo and Ange Postecoglou earlier in the campaign.