Manchester City might be two points behind on the Premier League table, but their grip on the title is now vice-like.
Pep Guardiola’s side of experienced title winning pros were imperious at the Etihad Stadium, winning 4-1 over league leaders Arsenal overnight.
They now hover ominously over the Gunners with a month remaining in the campaign.
Mikel Arteta and his inexperienced side still have a little bit of wiggle room given they hold a two-point advantage, however, the kicker is that City have two games up their sleeve to reel the Londoners in.
A brace from Kevin De Bruyne, scored either side of half-time and both set up by Erling Haaland, and a late first-half header from John Stones, which required VAR intervention for an offside call, did the damage for City as they put themselves in a powerful position.
The Gunners, who are only now just grasping onto top spot, scored a late consolation goal through defender Rob Holding, but they were distinctly second best on a night where they needed to be anything but.
An inevitable goal from Haaland came in injury time and sparked celebrations at the Etihad.
His 33rd Premier League goal of 2022/23 broke Mo Salah’s previous record for a 38-game season.
City still have seven games to tick off against Fulham (away), West Ham (home), Leeds United (home), Everton (away), Chelsea (home), Brighton (away) and Brentford (away).
The remaining five fixtures for the Gunners include Chelsea (home), Newcastle United (away), Brighton (home) Nottingham Forest (away) and Wolves (home).
While it’s not an insurmountable task for Arsenal, they would need at least a couple of monumental slip-ups from a City side that is on its way to a third straight Premier League title, a fifth in six seasons and a ninth overall in the English top flight.
