Manchester City exposed the first cracks in Arsenal’s title challenge on Saturday, beating the Premier League leaders 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium as their attackers cut loose in another free-scoring display.
City’s stylish showmen sealed their eighth consecutive home league success in an exhilarating match by outgunning Arsenal, whose advantage at the top was cut to two points after Chelsea snuck in a 2-1 win at home to Crystal Palace.
It was the third time this season that City have scored six goals or more and the win moved them up to third place, within three points of the top spot.
Photo: AFP
Manchester City, whose early opener from Sergio Aguero was canceled by Theo Walcott, opened up a two-goal lead with efforts from Alvaro Negredo and Fernandinho on either side of halftime.
Arsenal rallied with a superb second by Walcott, who curled the ball into the top corner, but David Silva restored City’s two-goal advantage from close range and Fernandinho poked home his second to help City retain their 100 percent home league record.
Even defender Per Mertesacker’s late consolation goal for Arsenal was trumped by City, as Yaya Toure stroked in a stoppage-time penalty.
The final whistle prompted a scuffle between Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil, with the centerback seemingly angered by his Germany teammate’s reluctance to applaud the visiting fans.
Arsenal’s failure to pull clear at the top was a fillip for Chelsea, but struggling Crystal Palace proved trickier opponents than expected and manager Jose Mourinho ended the match grateful to Petr Cech for helping them over the finish line.
The Chelsea goalkeeper made a string of fine saves to keep the visitors at bay after midfielder Ramires put the home side back in front with a curler 10 minutes before halftime.
Fernando Torres had given Chelsea the lead after 16 minutes with a tap-in, but Palace striker Marouane Chamakh scored for the third consecutive league game with a volley to equalize.
Everton’s 4-1 win over visitors Fulham moved them into the Champions League spots as they jumped to fourth, while at the other end of the table, West Ham United played out a 0-0 draw with bottom side Sunderland that was of little use to either team.
Newcastle United and Southampton drew 1-1, while Cardiff City beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0, after which the the Midlands club moved moved swiftly to sack manager Steve Clarke.
“West Bromwich Albion have this evening relieved head coach Steve Clarke of his duties and placed him on gardening leave with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement on Saturday.
West Brom, who sit two points above the relegation zone, have won only once in their past 10 league matches.
In Saturday’s late game, mid-table Hull City and Stoke City drew 0-0.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely