Manchester City beat Burnley 1-0 to overtake Arsenal at the top of the Premier League title race.
Published on 22 April 2026
Manchester City completed their inauspicious late-season rise to the top of the Premier League by winning 1–0 at Burnley – resulting in their relegation – thanks to Erling Haaland’s early goal, ending Arsenal’s 200-day run in first place.
Haaland’s clinical finish after five minutes on Wednesday could have paved the way for City to boost their goal difference, but they lacked the edge in a nervy affair as Burnley dug deep.
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Haaland hit the post and had other chances as City tried to give themselves a margin of safety, but Pep Guardiola’s side had to make do with a surprisingly narrow victory.
“The chances were there. We created a lot. It was a fantastic game and after a difficult game three days ago (against Arsenal) we did everything,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.
“We won and are top of the league, why be disappointed? Of course we can do more, but we won.
“We performed better than on Sunday because we created chances one after another.
“There are now five games to win the Premier League – that’s the reality.”
The goal came after Haaland ran onto Jeremy Doku’s pass and produced a clever finish to help City wrap up their 2-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday, turning Guardiola’s side into title favorites for many.
The one-goal win left City and Arsenal level on both points (70) and goal difference (+37). City are ahead only because of more goals (66 against Arsenal’s 63).
City were nine points behind Arsenal after drawing with West Ham on 14 March. Arsenal’s three consecutive defeats followed by three consecutive wins have turned the title race on its head.
The result condemned American-owned Burnley to relegation after one season in the top flight.
For Scott Parker’s side, the inevitable became a reality as they are stuck on 20 points, 13 points adrift of the safety zone with only four games remaining.
Arsenal could regain top spot in the league when they entertain Newcastle United on Saturday, while City play Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals on the same day, before returning to Premier League action against Everton on Monday, May 4.
“It’s a big opportunity to play four finals in a row,” Guardiola said of Saturday’s match against Southampton.
“We may have to rest players, but we are ready.”
