Top scorer Erling Haaland early and only goal of the the match in 5 minutes of play was enough to move Manchester City to top of the table and relegate defeated Burnley to the Championship. Jeremy Doku’s provided the assist.
City have hit form at the right time are looking in ominous mood, clawing back nine points on Arsenal in less than two weeks to narrowly climb to the summit on goals scored.
Guardiola’s men had not been in the number one spot since the opening week of the campaign, but an 11-game unbeaten streak has led to them overtaking the Gunners with five games left.
The visitors could have scored moments before but the excellent Rayan Cherki’s thumping effort was brilliantly tipped on to the crossbar by Dubravka.
City were being wasteful in front of goal, knowing goal difference could play a factor come May, with Nico O’Reilly’s header being batted out by Dubravka and Rayan Ait-Nouri blazing over after a fine team move.
The Clarets, meanwhile, had their chances to prolong an inevitable ending to the season – Jaidon Anthony cutting inside and curling a shot at goal which was pushed away by Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Zian Flemming dragged wide from a promising position.
But the loss means Scott Parker’s side will join bottom club Wolves in the second tier next season, dropping down into the Championship for the second time in three years.
