This archive report was first published on 10 May 2021.
Manchester City's bid for a third Premier League title in four seasons hit a snag on Saturday, May 8, as they lost 2-1 to Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
The defeat, which came just a day before Manchester United extended City's wait to be crowned champions, has given Chelsea a glimmer of hope ahead of their Champions League final showdown in Istanbul on May 29.
Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech equalized in the second half, before Marcos Alonso scored the winner in stoppage-time, leaving City 10 points clear at the top but still vulnerable to a late title challenge.
Manchester United, meanwhile, came from behind to win 3-1 at Aston Villa on Sunday, thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, and Edinson Cavani.
The win marked United's 10th comeback victory in the league this season, a competition record for a single season, and has left them on the brink of back-to-back top-four finishes for the first time since Alex Ferguson retired.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his side have the character to be successful, saying: “I believe in the boys and I think they believe in themselves. The players are learning, developing as a group. They’re getting better. The spirit, the camaraderie, they back each other.”
Elsewhere, Liverpool climbed back into the top four race after beating Southampton 2-0 on Saturday, thanks to goals from Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara.
With Leicester losing 4-2 against Newcastle and West Ham beaten 1-0 by Everton, the battle for top four places is heading for a photo finish, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp urging his players to sprint to the finish line.
