ARSENAL SHOW SIGNS OF WILTING UNDER PRESSURE

THIS may well go down as the decisive weekend in another title for Manchester City, after Liverpool and Arsenal lost at home to leave the holders in control of their own destiny.

- Dan Kilpatrick

A three-way showdown for the title is now in danger of becoming another City stroll, even if Pep Guardiola's side only have a two-point lead at the top.

The psychological impact of yesterday's power shift is likely to be far more significant than the points gap, however, and Arsenal and Liverpool will suddenly feel cut adrift and heavy-legged, such is the aura of inevitability about City when they get their noses in front.

The Treble winners know how to finish the job from here; they have the experience of five titles in the past six seasons, and few would bet big on them dropping points in their remaining six league games.

Arsenal and Liverpool, by contrast, buckled when the pressure was really on, neither able to respond yesterday to City's 5-1 drubbing of Luton nor recover fully from draining midweek assignments in Europe.

Liverpool lost 1-0 against Crystal Palace, while Arsenal were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa, late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins earning Unai Emery another hugely impressive win over his former club.