Man City bolster top-four hopes, Arsenal close in on Liverpool | Daily News

Man City bolster top-four hopes, Arsenal close in on Liverpool

Manchester City's Gael Clichy in action with Leicester City's Yohan Benalouane in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Manchester City's Gael Clichy in action with Leicester City's Yohan Benalouane in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

LONDON, Saturday - Manchester City enjoyed a huge let-off in their quest for a top-four finish in the Premier League while Arsenal edged to within a point of fourth-placed Liverpool with an impressive victory on Saturday.

A freakish penalty ‘miss’ by Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez at the Etihad Stadium allowed Manchester City to squeeze out a 2-1 victory that lifted them to third place, above Liverpool. Mahrez beat Willy Caballero with 13 minutes remaining but had slipped in his run-up and inadvertently struck the ball twice, once with each foot. Eagle-eyed referee Robert Madley correctly applied the law and City breathed deeply before seeing out the remainder of the game to stay on course for Champions League qualification.

“When I saw the reaction from Willy, I understood immediately that it was two touches,” City manager Pep Guardiola, whose side finish with matches against West Bromwich Albion and Watford, told reporters.

“The referee was so brave in making the decision. I've seen that happen before, a long time ago! It's not normal to see something like that, but it is what it is.”

With Chelsea having wrapped up the title on Friday and Sunderland and Middlesbrough already relegated, the final flurry of matches will decide which two clubs join the champions Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League and who becomes the third side to slide through the trapdoor.

Arsenal maintained their late challenge with a classy 4-1 victory at Stoke City to keep the pressure on Liverpool who now sit just one point above the in-from Gunners. Olivier Giroud's brace and goals from the brilliant duo of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil sealed an emphatic victory for Arsenal who have won five of their past six games to jump right back into contention.

- Agencies


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