English football champions Manchester City are on the verge of successfully defending their Premier League title. Thanks to goals from former Bundesliga stars Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland, the league leaders won 3-0 (2-0) at relegation-threatened Everton on Sunday. Because Arsenal FC then lost 0-3 (0-0) at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, Man City can hardly be taken away from the championship again.

The German international and former Dortmund player Gündogan (37th/51st minute) scored twice at Goodison Park and also provided the assist for the goal of former BVB striker Haaland (39th). Team captain Gundogan gave the Cityzens the lead before half-time when he picked up an assist from Riyad Mahrez with his back to goal and volleyed into the goal. In the second half, he scored from a free kick. This was also a successful dress rehearsal for the Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

After their eleventh league win in a row, coach Pep Guardiola's top team have four points ahead of Arsenal, who surprisingly blundered against Brighton, with three games of their own remaining. Julio Enciso (51'), Germany's Deniz Undav (86') and Pervis Estupiñán (90'+6) scored for the strong visitors at the Emirates Stadium.

With Arsenal with only two games left, Man City could become champions next Sunday with a home win against Chelsea – or possibly as early as Saturday night if the Gunners lose at Nottingham Forest. Guardiola's side also have a goal difference 20 goals better than the Londoners coached by his former assistant Mikel Arteta.

First, however, the Cityzens are looking ahead to the upcoming Champions League clash in Manchester. Before the reunion with Real this Wednesday (21.00 CET in the F.A.Z. live ticker for the Champions League and on DAZN), everything is still open. The first leg in Madrid ended 1-1.