Premier League leaders Manchester City opened up a eight-point lead with a family comfortable 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday night.
Star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne gave the Citizens the lead with a fine left-footed finish in the 19th minute and as the hosts swarmed forward at every opportunity, it seemed only a matter of time before they would make increase their lead.
However, despite dominating the Gunners, who have won just once on the road this Premier League season, City could not find the back of the net in the first-half.
Sergio Aguero, who broke City’s all-time scoring record in midweek, flashed a shot wide off a fast break early on before Raheem Sterling made a mess of a routine cross with fellow winger Leroy Sane waiting.
Arsenal were taking the fight to City, but perhaps due to the absence of club record-signing Alexandre Lacazette, lacked that vital cutting edge to punish the league leaders.
Alexis Sanchez, playing at the tip of the Gunners’ 3-4-3 formation, was subdued for most parts but the Chilean was able to fashion one chance at the end of the first-half that had the hosts sweating.
Sanchez collected a long ball and laid it off for teammate Aaron Ramsey and while the Welshman got a shot away, City goalkeeper Ederson managed to make an important save to preserve his side’s lead.
After the break, City quickly doubled their advantage, albeit via slightly contentious circumstances. Sterling went down in the box with just five second-half minutes on the clock, from a Nacho Monreal challenge and referee Michael Oliver deemed it worthy of a penalty.
Aguero stepped up and scored his 179th goal in City colours to put daylight between his side and Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger responded by sending on Lacazette and the French striker gave the visitors hope with an excellent finish five minutes after the hour-mark. Collecting Ramsey’s pass without breaking his stride, the £56 million acquisition then fired one between Ederson’s legs to reduce the deficit.
Lacazette’s goal proved to be a false dawn, however, as City substitute Gabriel Jesus would then restore the hosts’ two-goal cushion with a goal that replays suggested was illegal.
David Silva, who provided the assist, was a yard offside but the linesman didn’t raise his flag and City took advantage by putting the game beyond doubt.
After 11 games played, the Sky Blues are topping the Premier League table with an impressive tally of 31 points with second-placed Manchester United (who play their game at hand later on Sunday against Chelsea) a considerable eight points adrift.
Tottenham Hotspur, who beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in Sunday’s early kick-off are level on points with the Red Devils, but are in third place due to an inferior goal difference.
Arsenal remain in sixth place with 19 points and despite it being November, their title aspirations are effectively over now and the North Londoners must turn their attentions towards making the top-four.