Manchester City Nears Arsenal Lead, Liverpool Snaps Sunderland Home Streak
Manchester City triumphed 3-0 over Fulham on Wednesday, pulling closer to Arsenal atop the Premier League table, while Liverpool delivered Sunderlands initial home loss of the season, lightening the load on Arne Slot.
Following a possible key shift in the title battle via a last-minute rally to defeat Liverpool on Sunday, City sailed to a win with three goals across 15 first-half minutes, narrowing the lead at the top to three points.
Antoine Semenyo notched his fifth goal since arriving from Bournemouth last month, then assisted Nico O'Reilly for the second with a clever chip.
"It's all a fairytale right now," said Semenyo of his rapid integration into City life.
"It's just being part of a great team, a great environment, the coach has been great and they've made it easy for me to settle."
Erling Haaland added his first Premier League open-play strike in close to two months, then received a second-half break from Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal could widen their margin back to six points during Thursdays trip to Brentford, though the Gunners now confront increased strain in chasing their first title in 22 years.
Liverpool Overcomes Sunderland Stronghold
Liverpool hold sixth spot but greatly enhanced their odds for next seasons Champions League action with a commanding 1-0 success at the Stadium of Light.
Virgil van Dijk headed home from a Mohamed Salah corner soon into the second half, securing the English champions sole second league victory of 2026.
"If you generate so many chances you should score more than one goal," said Slot. "But today this was enough because we defended very, very well in all phases of the game."
Slot conceded pre-match that his role might hang in the balance if Liverpool miss Champions League entry, even after securing the title in his inaugural campaign.
A top-five finish should secure qualification, bolstered by English clubs robust European efforts this term.
The Reds trail fifth-placed Chelsea by two points and Manchester United in fourth by three.
The setback demolished Sunderlands notable status as the Premiers last undefeated home side this season, as they fell to 11th.
Third-placed Aston Villa advanced toward locking in next seasons Champions League berth via a late own goal by Jack Hinshelwood, clinching a 1-0 win against Brighton.
Brighton midfielder James Milner created history in his 653rd Premier League match, tying the record once owned by former Villa leader Gareth Barry.
The Seagulls endure a six-game win drought yet managed to withstand pressure until Hinshelwood bundled a corner into his own goal amid duress from Tyrone Mings.
Burnley halted their 16-match Premier League victory famine with a dramatic reversal to overcome Crystal Palace 3-2, dimming Jorgen Strand Larsens sharp home bow for the Eagles.
Strand Larsen bagged a brace within the opening 33 minutes on his Selhurst Park premiere, post his club-record £48 million ($66 million) move from Wolves.
Hannibal Mejbri and Jaidon Anthony levelled matters for Burnley, with Jefferson Lermas own goal finalising the recovery.
Nottingham Forest may oust a third boss this term after a 0-0 stalemate at home to Wolves positioned them only three points from the drop zone.
The BBC noted Sean Dyches spot faces grave danger. Forest had parted ways with Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou prior in the schedule.