Chelsea plucked a performance straight from the Jose Mourinho textbook -- with John Terry writing a chapter all of his own -- as they grafted to a 0-0 draw at Arsenal on Sunday that leaves them almost certain to claim the title.
Arsenal's substitutes' bench was a man short against Bayern Munich on Tuesday after the Premier League side got caught up in red tape.
Chelsea and Arsenal notched impressive 6-0 victories on Saturday as the champions destroyed Wigan Athletic and Arsene Wenger's team brought 10-man Blackpool crashing back to Premier League reality.
City are 18 points clear of second-placed Liverpool after beating Chelsea 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and need just four wins from their final nine games to be sure of the title.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has told arch rivals Arsenal that its time to show their mettle for the Premier League title.
A full-strength Arsenal added another piece of silverware to their recent FA Cup success by beating Everton 3-1 in the final of the Premier League's Asia Trophy on Saturday.
Arsenal's France midfielder Samir Nasri will be sidelined for a month following knee surgery, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.
Tottenham Hotspur dealt a potentially fatal blow to north London rivals Arsenal's Premier League title hopes with a 2-1 win at White Hart Lane on Wednesday.
Youngsters Theo Walcott and Bojan Krkic could take centre stage when Arsenal visit Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.
Spaniard Pedro scored twice as Chelsea tightened their grip on top spot by sweeping past Bournemouth 3-0 on Monday, a club record 12th successive Premier League win taking them seven points clear.
Confident Arsenal travel to Bayern Munich on Wednesday hoping to tame the German champions for a second time in two weeks, and are promising to attack despite a string of injuries.
Jose Mourinho admitted that Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal means it will now be "impossible" for Manchester United to finish in the top four.
Former France star Thierry Henry was named assistant coach of Belgium on Friday.
Ashley Williams powered home a towering header in the 86th minute as Everton fought back to claim a 2-1 win over Arsenal as the title hopefuls blew the chance to return to the Premier League summit.
Arsenal have signed Morocco's 26-year-old striker Marouane Chamakh on a long-term contract from Girondins Bordeaux, the English Premier League club said on Friday.
Arteta, who will lead City in their Champions League opener against Olympique Lyonnais on Wednesday because manager Pep Guardiola is suspended, also said that his team were better placed to challenge for top European honours this season.
Images from the Champions League first-leg quarter-finals match played on Wednesday.
Images from the English Premier League matches played at Old Trafford on Saturday
Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas has no doubt that Arsenal can beat Chelsea and roar right back into the title race.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will delve into the depths of his squad for the visit to Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, as an injury crisis engulfs Old Trafford.
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson believes Pep Guardiola will need time to adapt to Premier League football when he takes charge of Manchester City in July but has tipped the Spaniard to be a success. Guardiola has won numerous trophies in Spain and Germany with Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively but Ferguson feels the English game, known for its fast-paced and physically demanding nature, will pose a completely different challenge. "Without question Pep has got a fantastic work ethic about him. He has got great coaching ability, there is no doubt about that. Man City have made a real coup in getting him," the 13-time league champion told British media.
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott and Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla have signed new contracts with the Gunners, the Premier League club said on Friday.
A controversial Radamel Falcao effort gave Porto a 2-1 win over Arsenal in their Champions League last-16 first leg but the English side will take heart from Sol Campbell's away goal on his return to the tournament after four years.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas has admitted that he only stayed back at the club because he was given no choice.
Liverpool kept their push for a top-four finish in the Premier League on course as Emre Can thundered home a second-half winner to complete a hard-earned 2-1 comeback win over Burnley at a relieved Anfield on Sunday.
Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen suffered a suspected broken leg during the goalless draw at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday.
The result leaves Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's United in 10th with nine points, their worst start after seven games for 30 years, and they have won just one of their last six league games.
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will miss the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Manchester United with a groin strain.
Injured Dutch striker Robin van Persie's hopes of being fit for the World Cup took a nosedive when Arsenal said he could be out of action until May. Netherlands start their World Cup campaign in South Africa with a Group E tie against Denmark on June 14.
Images from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday.
Arsenal, who went nine years without a trophy before winning the FA Cup in May, collected their second piece of silverware in three months when they crushed champions Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.
Croatia striker Eduardo has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.
The club has not made the length of the new deal public, but manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal's website (www.arsenal.com): "It's fantastic news that Robin van Persie has committed his long-term future to Arsenal Football Club, we're all delighted.
Photos from the English Premier League matches played across England on Wednesday
Russia forward Andrei Arshavin completed his transfer to Arsenal from Zenit St Petersburg on Tuesday, the English Premier League club said. British media reported he has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract and has cost Arsenal around 15 million pounds.
Alex Ferguson, the most successful manager in Manchester United's history, underwent emergency surgery on Saturday for a brain haemorrhage, the club said.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson lauded Cristiano Ronaldo and offered sympathy for old adversary Arsene Wenger after his side ripped Arsenal apart to reach the Champions League final on Tuesday. Ronaldo scored twice as a rampant United won 3-1 at the Emirates to complete a 4-1 aggregate victory and put them on the verge of becoming the first club to retain the Champions League.
Arsenal must balance a need for goals while resolutely guarding against Manchester United's marauding counter-attacks if they are to knock the holders out of the Champions League on Tuesday. Arsene Wenger's side need to inflict United's first defeat in 25 Champions League matches as the defending champions arrive at the Emirates Stadium looking to protect a 1-0 advantage in the semi-final tie.
Arsenal are likely to use Cesc Fabregas in an advanced role to add more bite to their attack in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
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