“We cheat when we want”, chanted the Manchester City fans as their team scored a routine win over Aston Villa on Sunday night. The sarcastic chants were, of course, in reference to Premier League’s accusations of financial wrongdoings at Emirates Stadium, but their beloved City needed no cheating on the day.Unai Emery has now faced Pep Guardiola thirteen times and has suffered his ninth defeat. The former Arsenal and Villareal tactician is yet to taste the winning feeling against his fellow Spaniard. The latest encounter in Manchester offered little chance of Emery’s record improving – and Rodri scored inside the opening five minutes to set the tone for this one-sided encounter.
Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez found the net just before the break to settle the match nice and early, and only then did the visitors get a chance to play a little and showcase their talents. Of course, it was too late by then.Ollie Watkins reduced the deficit on the hour mark and substitute Philippe Coutinho came close with an ambitious long-range attempt. But that was all she wrote.The win took Manchester City just three points behind league leaders Arsenal, albeit with a match more played. But after the Gunners’ failure to win in their last two fixtures, they must be feeling the heat not. Besides, Manchester United’s resurgence of late will add more spice to the title race, which promises to be feisty. As long as nobody cheats.PREMIER LEAGUESaturdayWest Ham – Chelsea 1-1 (1-1)/Emerson 28 – Felix 16/Arsenal – Brentford 1-1 (0-0)/Trossard 66 – Tooney 74/Leicester City – Tottenham 4-1 (3-1)/Mendy 23, Maddison 25, Iheanacho 45+2 – Betancur 14/Fulham – Nottingham Forest 2-0 (1-0)/Willian 17, Solomon 88/Southampton – Wolverhampton 1-2 (1-0)/Alcaraz 24 – Bednarek 72 og, Gomes 87/Crystal Palace – Brighton 1-1 (0-0)/Tomkins 69 – March 63/Bournemouth – Newcastle 1-1 (1-1)/Senesi 30 – Almiron 45+2/SundayLeeds – Man.Utd. 0-2 (0-0)/Rashford 80, Garnacho 85/Manchester City – Aston Villa 3-1 (3-0)/Rodri 4, Gundogan 39, Mahrez 45+1 pen – Watkins 61/Monday23.00: (1.61) Liverpool (4.20) Everton (6.50)***odds are subject to change