THEY'RE RIGHT BEHIND YOU ... OH YES THEY ARE!

Clinical City breathing down Arsenal's necks in panto season rather than leaving it late

- BY JOHN CROSS

THERE is a very familiar theme to Manchester City's title challenge.

Except this time City are putting the frighteners on Arsenal before Christmas rather than leaving it until the run-in.

Pep Guardiola's men look ominously impressive with Erling Haaland in sensational form, Phil Foden (left) back towards his best and they have a new supply line in Rayan Cherki. City responded to Arsenal beating Wolves on Saturday night by winning a really difficult fixture at Selhurst Park when they were ruthlessly efficient as they overcame Crystal Palace.

It put City back to within two points of the top with their fifth straight win in all competitions.

You might have thought City winning at Real Madrid on Wednesday night would take its strain.

But four days later, City produced again. Haaland's sensational opener - with his first effort on target - provided the platform for the win.