The decisive moment arrived in the 5th minute. Jeremy Doku set up Erling Haaland, who broke free, surged into the penalty area, and chipped the ball diagonally over goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

Erling Haaland chips the ball diagonally...

...then celebrates his goal in Man City's 1-0 victory over Burnley in Premier League round 34 at Turf Moor, Burnley, Lancashire, England, on 22/4. Photo: PA, AFP

This early goal not only secured three crucial points but also ended Arsenal's 26-round, 200-day reign at the top. It marked Man City's first time leading the league since the opening round on 21/8/2025. Man City and Arsenal now both have 70 points and a +37 goal difference after 33 matches. However, Pep Guardiola's side leads due to scoring more goals (66 compared to 63).

Man City has never relinquished the Premier League title after taking the lead from round 33 onwards. This statistic underscores Man City's resilience during the decisive phase of the season. Although Arsenal held the advantage for much of the campaign, Man City has a history of accelerating at crucial moments. Surpassing their rivals after round 33, therefore, signifies more than a mere change in position; it could be the pivotal moment that determines the title race.

In the final stretch, when the gap between teams narrows, experience and consistency often prove decisive. This is a characteristic Man City has demonstrated repeatedly in recent seasons: quietly pursuing their rivals before making a decisive surge at the critical juncture.

Facing Burnley presented an ideal opportunity for Man City to create a turning point in the title race. The Manchester club had won 14 of their last 15 encounters against Burnley, with an aggregate score of 45-6. The match itself suggested they could have scored more than one goal. At Turf Moor on the evening of 22/4, Pep Guardiola's side commanded 65% possession and unleashed 28 shots, with 9 on target, compared to Burnley's 9 shots and just one on target.

Despite Haaland's early opener, the match was not as one-sided as anticipated. Burnley displayed resilience, ready to counter and create moments that troubled the visiting defense. Most notably, Zian Flemming broke through one-on-one but shot wide of the post, missing a chance to equalize. Conversely, Man City squandered numerous opportunities, with Nico O’Reilly and Rayan Cherki failing to beat goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. This lack of clinical finishing visibly frustrated Guardiola, particularly when Burnley pushed high to apply pressure.

A similar pattern unfolded in the second half. Man City maintained possession, but the absence of Rodri meant their ability to control and dictate play was not as fluid as usual. More opportunities went begging: Haaland struck the post with his right foot, Savinho's diagonal shot was saved by the keeper's leg, and O’Reilly's close-range tap was too weak, allowing Dubravka to gather it easily.

Towards the end of the match, as the tempo slowed, Man City fans in the stands created their own highlight, with resounding chants of "Blue Moon." In this atmosphere, the visitors patiently controlled the ball in a somewhat unexciting but effective manner, enough to secure all three points in a game that, while not explosive, held significant meaning for the title run-in.

At the final whistle, Man City's joy at reaching the top of the table stood in stark contrast to Burnley's sorrow. The Lancashire team, having just returned to the Premier League this season, was officially relegated. They are 13 points behind West Ham's safe position, with only four rounds remaining.

This marks Burnley's third relegation in their three most recent Premier League seasons and their fifth in the Premier League era, trailing only Norwich City's record of six. Previously, Wolves had already been relegated, meaning only one "relegation" spot remained unclaimed, currently held by Tottenham.

A return to the Championship had long been anticipated for Scott Parker's team. Burnley had secured just one victory in their last 25 matches, and their defeat to Man City extended a 13-game winless streak at home. This statistic clearly reflects a season filled with disappointment.

Hong Duy