Erling Haaland lifts Manchester City to top spot and confirms Burnley's relegation

Manchester City climbed to the top of the Premier League by the slimmest of margins with a tight 1-0 win at Burnley on Wednesday, as Erling Haaland's early goal proved to be enough to both leapfrog Arsenal and seal the home side's relegation.

Haaland struck in the fifth minute at Turf Moor, running onto Jeremy Doku's through ball before finishing with precision for his league-leading 24th goal of the season.

The result extends City's late surge in the title race – coming just days after a crucial 2-1 win over Arsenal – a swing that has seen Pep Guardiola's side erase a nine-point gap since mid-March.

Burnley, meanwhile, are relegated after just one season back in the top flight.

Despite dominating throughout the contest, City failed to turn control into a more comfortable margin. The visitors fired 28 shots but were repeatedly denied, with Haaland and Rayan Cherki both hitting the woodwork, while Nico O'Reilly squandered a clear chance late on.

That could prove significant in a title race decided by the finest of margins.

City moved level with Arsenal on 70 points and identical goal difference (+37), only leading the table on goals scored (66 to 63).

"I was not frustrated, why would I be?" Guardiola said. "We won three points, we are top of the league."

The manager admitted his side should have made the result safer.

"In these types of games, if you score the second or third that you deserve, everything's more fluid and natural," he explained. "But the main target was winning the game."

With momentum firmly on their side, City's relentless run-in has now flipped the title race – and put the defending champions back in control.

Moreover, Guardiola also answered questions about Chelsea sacking their manager Liam Rosenior.

"I'm so sorry," Guardiola noted. "I'm pretty sure he's the manager for that level, it's always going to happen. I think about how lucky I am being in the club. You know when I picked the right club 10 years ago with incredible hierarchy, incredible CEO's, sporting directors, with unbelievable consistency. The trust with the people who are working here, it's amazing, I'm so lucky. So the decision is not my concern."