Manchester City – Newcastle United: The Citizens Close the Gap (2-1)

Manchester City claimed the triumph they needed at the Etihad Stadium to signal their intent in the race for the Premier League. While the terminator of a number nine led from the front, an academy graduate picked up the scoring slack on his behalf and stood up to be counted.

Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere.

It might not be the same Manchester City, but the same old Arsenal are giving them hope of hunting down another Premier League crown. A last gasp 2-1 win over wilting champions Liverpool meant that City did not drift nine points behind the top of the table, and now the team could close the gap to the summit down to just two points. A 2-2 draw for Arsenal at Wolves marks the fifth time that they have dropped points in their last seven league fixtures, so can City capitalize on that faltering form?

Newcastle United’s season still hangs in the balance: this inconsistent outfit are six points behind sixth placed Liverpool and also only six points ahead of 15th placed Leeds United. St. James’ Park has not been the historical fortress of recent years, and the away record has not compensated for that falloff in form. They are winless on the road against . . .