Title destiny in Man City’s hands as Villa make European push

LONDON, AFP: Reigning champions Manchester City will go top of the Premier League table this weekend with victory over Fulham, building on their midweek demolition of title rivals Arsenal.

Manchester United are six points clear of Tottenham in the quest for a place in next season’s Champions League, following the clubs’ midweek draw, but Aston Villa could yet force their way into a place among Europe’s elite.

At the bottom of the table, Southampton look increasingly doomed.

After seizing control of the title race with their crucial 4-1 rout of leaders Arsenal, red-hot Manchester City can move into top spot if they win at Fulham on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s side made it seven successive league victories as they crushed the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, with Erling Haaland rounding off an emphatic win with his 33rd Premier League goal of the season, a rate of 1.14 per match.

Second-placed City are now only two points behind Arsenal, with their two games in hand making them favourites to be crowned champions for a fifth time in six seasons.

Having played catch-up for much of the season, City finally have the momentum and a victory at Craven Cottage would move them above Arsenal into pole position.

While Arsenal’s young side have choked during four successive games without a win, battle-hardened City’s 17-match unbeaten run in all competitions has underlined why they were champions for the last two years.

Liverpool, the beaten Champions League finalists last season, will also try to maintain their late charge to qualify for that competition by making it four wins in a row when they face Spurs on Sunday.