Arsenal and Liverpool suffered unexpected setbacks in the Premier League title race, allowing Manchester City to take a potentially decisive lead.
Arsenal, facing Aston Villa, suffered a 2-0 loss, while Liverpool fell to Crystal Palace in a shock 1-0 defeat at Anfield.
Both teams were architects of their own downfall, delivering poor performances when victory was crucial.
The defeats narrowed the gap at the top, with only two points separating the top three teams.
Manchester City now sits at the top, with a familiar feeling of dominance emerging as the pressure intensifies.
Before Sunday’s matches, Arsenal had a chance to assert their authority at the top but failed to capitalize.
Liverpool, meanwhile, looked fatigued and lacking intensity after a taxing period chasing multiple trophies.
The defeats for both Arsenal and Liverpool have raised questions about their ability to bounce back and challenge City’s momentum.
City, having comfortably defeated Luton 5-1, watched as their rivals stumbled, potentially shifting the title race in their favor.
Liverpool’s dream of a title-winning farewell for Jurgen Klopp has dimmed, with their vulnerabilities exposed, especially in conceding first and struggling to come back.
Arsenal, on the other hand, displayed signs of pressure affecting their performance, lacking their usual sharpness and defensive solidity.
As the season enters its final stages, the spotlight is on Arsenal and Liverpool to see if they can recover from these setbacks and mount a late challenge for the title, or if Manchester City will continue their march to the top.