Manchester City close gap on leaders Arsenal with comfortable win over Sunderland

Manchester City reduced Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League to two points with a thumping 3-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

Centre-backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol set Pep Guardiola's side on their way with a quick-fire double before the break at the Etihad Stadium.

Phil Foden wrapped up the points after 65 minutes but his fifth goal in three games was as much about a moment of magic from Rayan Cherki.

The Frenchman set up Foden's header, which crashed in off the bar, with a superb cross.

That inspired moment effectively killed off the challenge of Sunderland, who finished with 10 men after substitute Luke O'Nien was sent off in stoppage time.

Prior to Foden's goal the Black Cats, who began the game in fifth, had been threatening to get back into the game.

City will now head to Real Madrid for their next Uefa Champions League outing on Wednesday in confident mood knowing their domestic title challenge is firmly back on.

City demonstrated patience to capitalise on Arsenal's slip-up at Aston Villa.

In the opening half-hour, Enzo Le Fee went close for Sunderland from distance.

City took control through the unlikely sources of Dias and Gvardiol.

Dias hit the first with a fine strike into the top corner from 25 yards in the 31st minute after edging forward to support an attack. Sunderland barely had chance to reset before City doubled their lead.

This time Gvardiol finished, timing his leap perfectly to head home at the back post from a Foden corner.

City stepped up the intensity and Erling Haaland, who touched the ball just twice in the whole first half, launched an attack with a charge upfield.

He fed Cherki out wide and the Frenchman produced a sublime assist for Foden to head in.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the defeat to Aston Villa. Reuters

Setback for Arsenal

Mikel Arteta said Premier League leaders Arsenal will recover from the frustration of a dramatic 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa that blew the title race wide open.

Emiliano Buendia fired Villa's winner with the last kick of a pulsating game, ending the Gunners' 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions in the process.

Arsenal's Leandro Trossard had come off the bench to score a second half equaliser after Ma