MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City cut Arsenal's lead at the top of the standings back to two points after beating Crystal Palace 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
With two rounds of the season to go, Arsenal will have to wait at least another week to be confirmed champion. Mikel Arteta's team plays relegated Burnley on Monday, and a victory would leave City needing to beat Bournemouth 24 hours later to take the title race into the final day.
Phil Foden — making a rare start in recent months — provided assists for both of City's first-half goals. His backheel created an opening for Antoine Semenyo to open the scoring after 32 minutes, and he set up Omar Marmoush for City's second eight minutes later.
Savinho added a third goal in the 84th minute.
The size of City's win could yet be significant as it moved the team one ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.
"Unfortunately it's not in our hands," Pep Guardiola said. "It's not easy, but it's important that we are there. This group of players are all extraordinary."
City plays Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday, and Guardiola appeared to have the Wembley showdown in mind by making six changes to his team. Even without Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku in his starting lineup, City won comfortably.
"We've seen a lot of things can happen on the final day," Foden told Sky Sports. "I've experienced it many times when the game doesn't go your way, so we just have to keep pushing and doing our part."
Guardiola is targeting his seventh league title at City. He has never gone back-to-back seasons without winning a league title in his entire coaching career at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City.
James Robson, The Associated Press