Sunday’s briefing: Huge top-two clash in Premier League awaits

All eyes are on Sunday’s top-two clash between Manchester City and Liverpool which could go a long to deciding the destination of the Premier League title this season.

Manchester United strengthened their Champions League bid with a 1-0 win at Chelsea, while the winless run of relegation-threatened Tottenham was extended following a 2-2 draw against Brighton.

Arteta: Arsenal must go for it

Mikel Arteta has told his players to “go for it” and embrace the Etihad Stadium pressure cooker ahead of Arsenal’s virtual Premier League title decider against Manchester City.

Arteta’s men face their rivals in a do-or-die fixture knowing that a victory behind enemy lines would take them nine points clear with just five matches to play.

Speaking on the eve of Sunday’s crunch match, Arteta, when asked what his final message to his players will be, replied: “Go for it.

“Let’s be ourselves and go for it, put everything we have on that pitch. Have huge belief, have huge conviction and go for it because we are more than capable of doing it.”

Guardiola hopes to give Silva perfect send-off

Pep Guardiola admitted “part of myself is leaving” with Bernardo Silva as the Manchester City manager urged his side to give the outgoing Portugal playmaker the perfect send-off.

The City captain ended speculation about his future on Thursday by revealing he will depart the club at the end of the season when his contract expires following a trophy-laden nine years in the north-west.

Asked whether Silva going was the hardest goodbye for him, Guardiola replied: “Absolutely. When these types of players are going, and there have been many in the last years, part of myself is leaving too.

“Hopefully we can deliver to him, he’s going to help us, I know that. He’s a special player, hopefully we can deliver a good month, a few days, because he deserves it, he deserves the best.”

Cunha gives United important win

Manchester United opened up a 10-point advantage in the race for the Champions League as Matheus Cunha’s first-half strike earned a 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge which seriously harmed the Blues’ own top-five hopes.

Cunha rifled in the winner with United’s only shot on target as home fans’ anger at the running of their club reverberated around the ground, following a massive street protest against owners BlueCo that took place ahead of kick-off.

This was Chelsea’s fourth Premier League defeat in a row and the fourth game in which they have failed to score.

They trail Liverpool by four points in the race for the top five having played a game more and with five teams within a win of catching them, they are now at serious risk of failing to qualify for Europe altogether.

Spurs woes continue

Tottenham remain in the Premier League relegation zone after they were stunned by a stoppage-time leveller from Brighton substitute Georginio Rutter during a pulsating 2-2 draw in Roberto De Zerbi’s home debut.

Spurs looked set to end a 15-match winless in the top-flight when Xavi Simons produced a superb 77th-minute strike to spark wild celebrations.

Simons’ fine effort followed up his assist for Pedro Porro’s opener after 39 minutes, which was cancelled out by Kaoru Mitoma’s stunning volley in first-half stoppage time.

However, scenes of jubilation turned to disbelief when Kevin Danso lost possession in the fifth minute of time added on and Rutter curled home to ensure the spoils were shared.

Russo stars as England edge out Iceland

England maintained a three-point lead over Spain in their World Cup qualifying group after securing a narrow 1-0 victory against Iceland in Reykjavik.

Alessia Russo opened the scoring in the 21st minute of the Lionesses’ 500th international match, and it remained the contest’s lone goal at the final whistle.

Iceland came alive in the second half, and it required a number of key saves from Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton to preserve the win on the same day World Cup holders Spain secured a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Ukraine.

What’s on today?

As well as the mouthwatering Manchester City-Arsenal clash to look forward to, there is the Merseyside derby – the first to be held at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Aston Villa will bid to consolidate their Champions League spot when they welcome Sunderland, while Nottingham Forest can put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone when they take on Burnley.

Celtic face St Mirren in the Scottish Cup semi-finals, while promotion-pushing pair Ipswich and Middlesbrough meet in the Championship.