Arsenal lead, Man City two points behind

Arsenal entered the final two matches of the Premier League season with a two-point lead over Manchester City after both clubs reached 36 games. The official Premier League table showed Arsenal on 79 points and City on 77 as of May 16, with Arsenal holding first place despite City’s superior goal difference of +43 to Arsenal’s +42. The title race remained open because each club still had two league fixtures left. Arsenal’s remaining matches were at home to Burnley on May 18 and away to Crystal Palace on May 24, while City were due to play Bournemouth away on May 19 and Aston Villa at home on May 24. ### How close is the table with two rounds left? (premierleague.com) The Premier League table on May 16 listed Arsenal first with 24 wins, seven draws and five defeats from 36 matches. Manchester City were second with 23 wins, eight draws and five defeats, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side two points clear entering Matchweek 37. (premierleague.com) Manchester City’s scoring record gave them an additional edge if the teams finish level on points. The Premier League said City had scored 75 goals to Arsenal’s 68, and the league’s title-race explainer said goal difference is the first tiebreaker, followed by goals scored. ### Which results put Arsenal in front? (premierleague.com) Arsenal’s latest league result was a 1-0 win at West Ham United on May 10, according to the Premier League fixtures page. That result kept Arsenal in control of the title race before City completed their game in hand with a 3-0 home win over Crystal Palace on May 13. (premierleague.com) Manchester City had also beaten Brentford 3-0 in Matchweek 36, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side to make up ground but not overtake Arsenal. The official fixtures page showed City’s two May victories cutting the gap without changing the order at the top. ### What is the dispute over the Everton draw? (premierleague.com) A Premier League Key Match Incidents panel review found Everton should have been awarded a penalty against Manchester City in a 3-3 draw, according to reports published on May 16. Yahoo Sports, citing the review, said Everton were denied a spot kick when they were 3-2 ahead after a foul by Bernardo Silva was not given. (premierleague.com) Those reports said the decision was one of three newly confirmed VAR errors and that Everton had not received a VAR intervention in their favor this season. The Premier League’s own title-race page did not address the incident, but the reported review added another talking point to a race separated by two points. (sports.yahoo.com) ### What do Arsenal need to do from here? The Premier League said Arsenal would be champions if they win both of their final two matches. The league also said a single Arsenal slip, including a draw, could give City the chance to move level or go ahead depending on results and tiebreakers. (aol.com) A level finish on points would not automatically favor Arsenal because City currently lead on goal difference and goals scored. The Premier League said City also took four points from the clubs’ two head-to-head league meetings this season, which would matter only if points, goal difference and goals scored were all equal. (premierleague.com) ### When are the decisive matches? Matchweek 37 begins before either title contender plays, but Arsenal’s penultimate game is scheduled for Monday, May 18, at home to Burnley. City’s corresponding fixture at Bournemouth was moved to Tuesday, May 19, because of City’s FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 16, the Premier League said. (premierleague.com) The final league games for both clubs are set for Sunday, May 24. Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace and Manchester City host Aston Villa on the closing day, according to the Premier League’s fixtures and title-race pages. (premierleague.com 1) (premierleague.com 2)