Is this the decisive weekend in the PL title race?

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Neville: Arsenal must win at City | Five key PL ‘title deciders’

Gary Neville says Arsenal must win away to Manchester City this weekend to take charge of this season’s title race.

Mikel Arteta takes his Gunners side to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday searching for his first victory at the ground since leaving Pep Guardiola’s coaching team for north London in 2019.

Winning at the Etihad is one of the challenges the Spaniard is yet to achieve in his time as Arsenal boss, losing on all four of his Premier League visits so far.


Sunday 31st March 4:00pm


Kick off 4:30pm

Sky Sports Premier League HD
Sky Sports Premier League HD

A win would take Arsenal four points clear of their opponents and keep them top of the table. Meanwhile, a defeat would see City move two points clear of the Gunners, who would potentially drop to third depending on Liverpool’s result at home to Brighton earlier on Sunday.

Ahead of another crucial game in the title race, Neville says that Arsenal must win away to City, not just to boost their chances of a first league title in 20 years, but because of the positive impact it would have on the team’s mentality going into the final games of the season.

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Gary Neville believes Arsenal have to come away from the Etihad with a win over Manchester City if they want to stand any chance of winning this year’s Premier League

“The reason I believe Arsenal need to go to Manchester City and win is because Arsenal have to go to other grounds – Old Trafford, Tottenham. To really change the psyche of this Manchester City team, you’ve got to damage them yourself and make them believe you’re better than them,” he said on the Gary Neville Podcast.

“We used to feel we’d be champions every year so when Arsenal came to Old Trafford in ’98 when Overmars scored, or in the early 2000s when Wiltord scored, it shook us to the ground and we were stunned.

“They’ve got to leave as winners. That’s not to say a draw is not a respectable result at the Etihad but Manchester City don’t tend to make mistakes.”

In the past two seasons, City have shown their best form in the latter stages of the campaign, successfully edging closely contested title races on both occasions.

In the 2021/22 season, they won seven out of their 10 remaining games and drew the other three, to beat Liverpool to the title by a single point for the second time in four seasons.

City were even better the following year, winning all but one of their last 10 games to clinch a third consecutive title at the expense of Arsenal.

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Take a look at the best goals from clashes between Manchester City and Arsenal, featuring finishes from Thierry Henry, Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and Mikel Arteta

It is the first time since 2014 that three teams have been separated by a single point after 28 games. If that season is anything to go by – Liverpool beat City 3-2 at Anfield in mid-April, a fortnight before Gerrard’s famous slip in a home defeat by Chelsea – we are in for another exciting end to an epic battle.

“Three really good teams are going for it. They all have different qualities,” said Neville.

“Arsenal are a growing team, emerging as title contenders last season and just falling away at the end. This season, they look stronger, more solid, more reliable.

“Liverpool have this energy, this momentum, this Klopp thing going on, this last dance.

“Then you have Pep Guardiola, a trophy machine. All three look like they have something. They all have to change the mentality of City though, because City have the steel.”

Five PL ‘title deciders’ that did prove crucial

With just 10 games remaining in the title race, we take a look at five Premier League games that ultimately lived up to their billing as title deciders in the latter stages of the season…

Newcastle 0-1 Manchester United (1995/96)

 Eric Cantona celebrates scoring the only goal of the match  against Newcastle United at St James's Park.
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Eric Cantona celebrates scoring the only goal of the match against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in 1996

Remember Kevin Keegan’s rant? “I will LOVE it if we beat them!” It was said during one of the fiercest title tussles seen since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.

Newcastle stormed to the top of the table, establishing a 12-point lead in January over title rivals Manchester United, leaving the Magpies in prime position to secure their first league title in 69 years.

But Eric Cantona’s return from suspension coincided with an upturn in form for the Red Devils, reducing the gap to just four points ahead of a Monday night meeting at St James’ Park in early March.

With a chance to extend the lead to seven points, the home fans were right behind their team – but Peter Schmeichel had a game to remember. The great Dane denied Newcastle early on, saving two efforts from Les Ferdinand in the opening five minutes. An effort from Philippe Albert finally beat Schmeichel in the first half, only to hit the post.

As time went on in the second half, former Newcastle player Andy Cole dribbled by two opponents before laying the ball into the path of Phil Neville, who floated a cross to the back post. Cantona was there to volley the ball into the back of the net. Newcastle couldn’t find an equaliser.

Significance: Newcastle remained top after the game, but with only a one-point advantage. The pressure grew as they dropped points in five of their last 10 games and Keegan delivered his infamous rant, which was widely believed to be the moment the title was lost. Contrastingly, United won seven of their last 10 to seal their third title in four years by a four-point margin.

Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal (1997/98)

Arsenal's Marc Overmars (left) is congratulated by teammates Dennis Bergkamp (centre) and Nicolas Anelka after scoring for Arsenal during the Premiership clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford today (Saturday). The final score was 1-0 to Arsenal. Photo by Rui Vieira/PA. See PA Story SOCCER Man Utd.
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Marc Overmars celebrates scoring Arsenal’s winning goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford in 1998

Arsenal vs United, Sir Alex Ferguson vs Arsene Wenger, a rivalry well-established in the late ’90s.

On this occasion, United had held a 12-point advantage heading into March, with three games played over Wenger’s men. Ahead of this fixture two weeks later, that points difference had been trimmed to nine, with United dropping points in both their previous games.

Marc Overmars was a constant threat throughout the match, having a sight in front of goal multiple times, while Tony Adams and Martin Keown kept it tight at the back to prevent United from finding a breakthrough at home.

Nicolas Anelka’s flick-on behind the United defence reached Overmars, who made no mistake as he scored past Schmeichel. It was Arsenal’s first goal at Old Trafford in the Premier League era and proved enough to secure the win.

Significance: United lost the upper hand in the title race – a six-point lead gave Arsenal control of their own destiny. Eight wins in a row in the title run-in was enough to see the Gunners lift their first league title since 1991 in Wenger’s first full season in charge, a solitary point separating them from United.

Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea (2009/10)

 Didier Drogba celebrates in front of Manchester United fans after scoring their second goal
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Didier Drogba celebrates in front of Manchester United fans after scoring Chelsea’s second goal in 2010

Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea headed to Old Trafford in early April in second position with six games to go and on the back of a disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of Inter Milan.

They were separated from United by a single point. The hosts’ talisman Wayne Rooney watched on from the stands due to an injury picked up in the midweek European clash against Bayern Munich.

After 20 minutes of play, Joe Cole delivered an audacious flick to put his side in front, with substitute Didier Drogba doubling the lead, despite being in an offside position, with 11 minutes left on the clock.

The drama did not stop there as Federico Macheda grabbed one back with a suggestion of handball and Dimitar Berbatov missed a golden chance to equalise for United late on.

Significance: Chelsea opened up a two-point lead with five games to go and remained top of the table from then on. Both sides won four of their last five matches, but United could only manage a draw at Blackburn, lessening the impact of Chelsea’s defeat at Spurs six days later. The Blues secured the title by a single point with an 8-0 thrashing of Wigan, before winning the FA Cup to clinch the Double that season.

Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United (2011/12)

Vincent Kompany celebrates scoring his teams first goal during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium
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Vincent Kompany celebrates scoring Man City’s goal in their derby win over United at the Etihad in 2012

The Manchester neighbours went head-to-head with three games to go. Both teams were out of form – City had won only one of their previous five to give United a three-point lead going into the derby, while United had only won one of their last three in the build-up.

It was a game of few chances as Ferguson opted to go with a more defensive line-up knowing a point would be sufficient to stay in control of the title race. Rooney was deployed as a lone striker and it was an uninspiring performance, with United failing to have a shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.

City needed to win and played as such with Vincent Kompany’s header in first-half stoppage time proving the decisive goal in the game. With a superior goal difference, City took control of the title race with two to play.

Significance: Both United and City won their next games, taking the race to the final day, and delivering an afternoon that went down in history. United went away to Sunderland and won, but as the game stopped, the radios switched on, eagerly awaiting news of their rivals. After being locked at 2-2 deep into stoppage time against QPR, up stepped Sergio Aguero to secure City’s first title in 44 years. It’s considered by most fans to be the greatest moment the Premier League has ever seen.

Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal (2022/23)

 Erling Haaland celebrates scoring Manchester City's fourth goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium
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Erling Haaland celebrates scoring Man City’s fourth goal of the game against Arsenal last season

Arsenal surprisingly came flying out of the blocks at the start of the campaign. After missing out on a Champions League spot the season before, the young Gunners made a significant jump to emerge themselves as title challengers.

However, in the last sprint to the title, an injury to William Saliba proved significant. They went to the Etihad in late April on the back of a winless run, having drawn their previous three games.

Despite Arsenal having a five-point lead, City had two games in hand and the title race was in their control. Arsenal could not afford a defeat.

City asserted their authority over the 90 minutes, in a game inspired by stars Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland. Each had three goal contributions to their name, to seal a comfortable 4-1 victory.

Significance: City continued their near faultless form, winning all their remaining games except Brighton away. However, Arsenal’s drop continued as they lost two of their remaining games. Guardiola’s men sealed a third title in a row with three games remaining. They also secured a historic Treble with wins over Manchester United and Inter Milan in the FA Cup and Champions League finals respectively.

Watch Manchester City vs Arsenal in a huge Premier League title decider live on Sky Sports this Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm

‘Icon of the game’: Ex-England captain Houghton to retire

Manchester City Women defender and former England captain Steph Houghton is retiring from football at the end of the season.

Houghton, who turns 36 in April, has won three Women’s Super League titles across her spells with Arsenal and City.

The defender also has 121 caps for her country, leading the Lionesses to third place at the 2015 World Cup.

“There is no easy way to say it, but I am retiring from football at the end of the current WSL season,” Houghton said in a statement.

“Taking the decision to retire is such a difficult thing to do. Whilst age comes to every player, it makes it no easier having to say the words out loud. Football has been my life; my passion and I have loved the career I have had.”

Injury has blighted the latter stages of her career and led to Houghton missing out on Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad that won the Euros in 2022.

Houghton has the chance to sign off in style, though, by helping her side to another league title this season – with City level on points with Chelsea at the top of the WSL table.

Steph Houghton's international career
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Houghton’s international career

City head coach Gareth Taylor said: “Steph is – without question – an icon of the game. Although her professional career on the pitch is now coming to an end, her legacy will be felt for so many years to come. She’s paved the way for so many to thrive in the future.

“Steph has lived and breathed football for such a long time, and she leaves it in the strongest place it has ever been – a true testament to her leadership, hard work, talent, and dedication.

“I feel incredibly privileged to have been able to work with her since 2020 and know her name will be written into the history books as a true footballing great.

“Steph will excel in whatever she puts her mind to, and, on behalf of everyone here at Manchester City, I’d like to express our immense gratitude and wish Steph all the very best for the future.”

Steph Houghtonn's club career
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Houghton’s club career

Izzy Christiansen, a team-mate of Houghton’s with City and England, told Sky Sports News: “Steph is an absolutely superb professional but I completely understand her reasoning. It’s mentally and physically exhausting, giving so much to the game at a time when not many people believed in it.

“Steph was one of those that paved the way and believed when not many did. She set the highest of standards with her professionalism as a captain.

“Playing with her for Man City and England, she was an incredible leader and she will continue to be that for the rest of the season.”

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Izzy Christiansen shares her reaction to the news that former team-mate Houghton is set to retire from football and says she is an incredible professional who will be a loss to women’s football

The Sky Sports pundit added: “I genuinely don’t think England would have won the Euros in 2022 had Steph not been a captain before for club and for country.

“Her impact in the game, it extends for the last 10 or 15 years at least, especially within the change of professionalism in women’s football.

“Steph is somebody I look at and will always look back on as someone that paved the way for a lot of people and I hope over the next few months she gets her recognition in the game.”

Houghton’s retirement statement in full

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 19: Steph Houghton of Manchester City celebrates after the Barclays Womens Super League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on November 19, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Steph Houghton
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Houghton could end her 10-year spell at City with a second WSL title for the club

“There is no easy way to say it, but I am retiring from football at the end of the current WSL season.

“Taking the decision to retire, is such a difficult thing to do. Whilst age comes to every player, it makes it no easier having to say the words out loud. Football has been my life; my passion and I have loved the career I have had.

“I would like to thank every team-mate I have ever played with; I have continued to learn every day and appreciate the support each has given me and the friendships I have made along the way. To my managers, coaches and all the staff that I have worked with and under, I appreciate the time, effort and work you have dedicated to improving my game and the standards of women’s football.

Steph Houghton has signed a new contract at Man City Women (picture courtesy of Man City Women FC)
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Houghton will call time on her playing career at the end of the season

“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent Sunderland, Leeds Utd, Arsenal and to have been on the incredible journey that I have been on, with Manchester City over the past 10 years.

“I will always be humbled to have made so many domestic appearances, to have captained my country and to have represented England and Team GB in so many international tournaments. I will always be very proud of everything that I have achieved in the game.

“To all the fans, I have never taken your support for granted. The special feeling of hearing ‘Super Steph’ will forever live with me.

“Whilst I have been lucky to have had special moments on the pitch, it gives me a lot of satisfaction what the game has achieved off the pitch during my career.

“The game has moved so quickly from amateur to professional over the last twenty years. I thank the trailblazers that came before me, for your perseverance and commitment to effecting change for my generation.

“I hope that I leave the game in a better place than when I started, and that I have contributed in some small way to giving the girls of tomorrow a better future in football.

“My biggest thanks, appreciation and love belongs to my husband and inspiration, Stephen, my mam, my dad, my brother Stuart, the rest of my family, Matthew Buck, and all my closest friends for your love, guidance, understanding and support – it has been my constant.

“I am excited for whatever comes next but, in the meantime, I remain focused on giving everything I have left for Manchester City, over the next two months.”

‘Man City will have extra title motivation’

Sky Sports News’ Anton Toloui:

“I don’t think the news itself is any surprise. As she’s mentioned in her interview with City, the last couple of years of her career haven’t quite gone to plan, but the fact she’s announced it now is a bit of a surprise.

“Manchester City are in a heck of a title race right now, but I don’t think she wants to become a distraction as the end of the season gets closer. City are trying to win the WSL title and they will very much want to do it for the club captain Houghton, because she’s that popular, that iconic a figure. Manchester City now have extra motivation.

“You can’t easily sum up the impact on the professional game that Houghton has had. She is the epitome of a professional. Since she became captain, that England team has learned how to go deep in tournaments. Don’t forget how good a player she’s been, too; the complete defender: positioning, strength, scoring from set-pieces.

“It has been really difficult and frustrating in the last couple of years of her career. Sarina Wiegman, in her first week in charge, said that Houghton would be her captain at first. The day before the first Lionesses game under Wiegman, Houghton did her Achilles. She never played for England again. She worked so hard to get back for the Euros but wasn’t selected. She lost her place at Manchester City too; they signed Alanna Kennedy, Alex Greenwood came in and did so well at centre-half.

“But there will not be one person in the league more determined to go on and win the next nine games to end City’s barren run stretching back to 2016.”

Injury watch: Who could miss huge Man City vs Arsenal clash on Sky?

Manchester City host Arsenal in a Premier League title-race defining match at the Etihad on Sunday, live on Sky Sports – but key players are facing a race to be fit in time for the contest.

With Arsenal leading Liverpool at the top of the standings on goal difference and City just a point further back, the game between City and Arsenal is a hotly-anticipated and crucial contest.

However, coming off the back of an international break, there is selection uncertainty on both sides…

Man City’s defensive dilemmas

There was a double blow for City’s England defenders, with Kyle Walker and John Stones both forced off with injury while away with the Three Lions.

Walker limped off during the first half of Saturday’s defeat to Brazil with what was later described as a tight hamstring. The issue was initially not thought to be too serious, however on Wednesday it was announced he would be having a scan and is rated 50-50 to face Arsenal.

Kyle Walker waits for treatment after picking up an injury during the international friendly against Brazil
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Kyle Walker waits for treatment after picking up an injury during the international friendly against Brazil

However, Stones’ situation is less clear. After Tuesday’s draw against Belgium, England boss Southgate suggested it was an adductor issue in his groin but the City defender didn’t look comfortable when he had to make way just nine minutes into the game. He later told Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett he was not sure if he would be fit to face Arsenal.

Another issue in that backline to emerge over the past few days is the fitness of Manuel Akanji, who had to withdraw from Switzerland’s squad with a knock.

Throw in goalkeeper Ederson still being out with a thigh problem and it is clear Pep Guardiola may have some reshuffling to do this weekend…


Sunday 31st March 4:00pm


Kick off 4:30pm

Sky Sports Premier League HD
Sky Sports Premier League HD

Any other concerns for City?

Further up the pitch, Guardiola will hope it is a more positive picture, with Erling Haaland able to play twice for Norway after giving his club a scare when he was seen limping in training at the start of the break. City team-mate Oscar Bobb also played in those games and scored against Czech Republic.

City’s other standout star, Kevin De Bruyne, could also be back. He missed the FA Cup game with Newcastle before the international break with a groin injury and wasn’t called up by Belgium but could return after a period of recovery.

Kevin De Bruyne cuts a frustrated figure during Manchester City's Premier League clash with Chelsea
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Will Kevin De Bruyne be fit to play on Sunday?

Argentina’s Julian Alvarez played Costa Rica in Los Angeles in the early hours of Wednesday morning so will have a delayed return to City training, while Matheus Nunes, who was on the scoresheet for Portugal against Sweden, missed their second game with suggestions he had hurt his ankle.

How do Arsenal look?

Arsenal have key men needing to prove their fitness before heading to City. Bukayo Saka withdrew from the England squad as a precaution at the end of last week with a minor muscle problem in his hamstring. It will be hoped he can get back into shape for Sunday.

Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes was also withdrawn from his national team squad as a precaution, with inflammation in the Brazilian’s Achilles a concern.

Gabriel Magalhaes celebrates after scoring Arsenal's opening goal against Crystal Palace
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Gabriel Magalhaes withdrew from the Brazil squad

Gabriel Martinelli also missed out on playing for Brazil with the cut on his foot he suffered at Sheffield United.

However, there was positive news during the break, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey featuring in a behind closed doors friendly so could be in contention.

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