Stats Talk: How Manchester City ended Arsenal’s 247-day record

PREMIER LEAGUE Stats Talk: How Manchester City ended Arsenal’s 247-day record

Kiplagat Sang 10:45 - 01.05.2023

The Gunners were dethroned after being at the top for the better part of this season.

Manchester City needed a win to go top of the Premier League, and they did just that away to Fulham on Sunday.

Although City claimed an early opener – scored by Erling Haaland, who equaled a long-standing Premier League record of 34 goals in a single season held before by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer – Fulham pushed them in the entirety of the game as the visitors struggled to impose their game as they usually do.

The title race is clearly in the hands of Pep Guardiola’s men, and should they beat West Ham and Leeds in their next two games, even if Arsenal beat Chelsea on Tuesday, the Gunners will kick off their next game at Newcastle four points adrift.

The Gunners had been at the summit for the longest period, and City ensured that record was broken with another critical victory in London.

Manchester City and new records

City's win over Fulham saw them return to the top of the Premier League for the first time since February 17th. It will be just the 15th day this season that they have ended the day in first position, with Arsenal having occupied the spot for 247 days.

They have won eight consecutive Premier League games, which is the longest winning run by a team in 2022–23 (overtaking Arsenal's seven between February-April). Indeed, it is Man City's longest winning streak in the league since a 12-game run between November 2021 and January 2022.

Haaland scored his 50th goal of the season for Manchester City across all competitions, while this was his 34th in the Premier League, equalling the record in a single campaign [also 34 by Andrew Cole in 1993-94 and Alan Shearer in 1994-95].

City forward Julian Alvarez, who was outstanding as he led the attacking line alongside record equaling Haaland, affirmed the need to win their next games.

"It was a very important win for us today [Sunday]. Every game from here on out is a final. Especially after the win against Arsenal, we'll be able to catch up. We need to keep this going," the Argentine said.

"It was really nice to score here, a really important goal at an important point of the match. Really nice to contribute."

City are unbeaten in 18 games in all competitions and have not lost a game since February 5, have six Premier League games left and need to win five of them to be crowned champions.