Manchester City moved top of the Premier League for the first time since August, but only on goals scored over title rivals Arsenal after labouring to a 1-0 win at Burnley.
The defeat for Burnley condemned them to relegation and an immediate return to the Championship, but they did Arsenal something of a favour with an impressive act of damage limitation.
City’s 2-1 win over Arsenal last Sunday handed them the initiative in the title race going into their game in hand, and a meeting with Scott Parker’s strugglers offered the chance to build a goal difference advantage over the Gunners.
It was one they looked set to take when Erling Haaland netted in the sixth minute to equal the goal difference with Arsenal.
But City were underwhelming thereafter as they were continually thwarted by the woodwork and Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
Their failure to build a more commanding lead will offer encouragement to Arsenal, who will look to move back to the top and build a goal difference edge over City when they face Newcastle United on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s men kick off against Southampton at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final 15 minutes before Arsenal face the Magpies. That engagement will now be Guardiola’s focus, but his frustration at his side’s unexpected struggles at Turf Moor spoke volumes as City displayed a lack of ruthlessness that could yet come back to haunt them come the final day of the season.
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