Champions League spot within grasp for Man City

Manchester May 17 (IANS) Manchester City beat West Bromwich Albion 3-1 here to move a step closer to clinching the third place in the English Premier League and a guaranteed berth in the 2017-2018 UEFA Champions League football tournament.

In London meanwhile fifth-place Arsenal had to work harder than expected in a 2-0 win over relegated Sunderland on Tuesday reports Efe.

City with 75 points are in third place two points ahead of Liverpool and three better than Arsenal. The Manchester side has a goal differential of +36 compared with +33 for Liverpool and +31 for Arsenal.

City will finish third if they prevail over Watford next Sunday in the EPL season s final match. By beating relegated Middlesbrough Liverpool can count on ending the season no lower than fourth place.

The scenario for Arsenal is more complicated as they must not only win their match against Everton but also hope for Liverpool to lose or draw.

West Brom who are usually sound on defence found themselves trailing 0-2 just a half-hour into Tuesday s tie at the Etihad conceding goals to Gabriel Jesus -- in the 27th minute -- and to Kevin de Bruyne who scored just two minutes later.

Yaya Toure put the hosts ahead 3-0 in the 57th minute and Hal Robson-Kanu scored a consolation goal for West Brom with three minutes left in regulation.

Sunderland following an abysmal performance last weekend against Swansea did a credible job facing Arsenal at London s Emirates Stadium holding the Gunners at bay until the 72nd minute when forward Alexis Sanchez hammered in a cross from Mesut Özil.

The Chilean international came through again nine minutes later with a decisive header to assure Arsenal of a 2-0 victory.

--IANS
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