Liverpool aims to widen gap over title rivals

Four more wins will sew up first championship since 1990

Vanquished 3-2 by Premier League leader Liverpool on the weekend, Manchester City has an immediate opportunity to trim its title rival's advantage when it hosts Sunderland on Wednesday.

Liverpool's victory at a raucous Anfield on Sunday took it seven points clear of City, which has two games in hand, and two points above Chelsea, leaving it four victories from a first league title since 1990.

The game against City was billed as a title showdown, and having seen his side prevail thanks to a 78th-minute strike by Philippe Coutinho, manager Brendan Rodgers urged his players to keep going.

"We've been put under pressure in a very big game against a big opponent, but you can see from our football that we are coping," said the Northern Irishman, whose side has won 10 consecutive league matches.

"My message to the players is to continue. We don't need to change. We played with no fear. You can see that, whether it is the big opponent like Manchester City, or at Norwich City next week.

"Manchester City still has a couple of games in hand, but to win 10 successive games in the Premier League is a great achievement, and hopefully 10 will become 11 next week."

While its destiny is no longer in its own hands, City knows it can theoretically close to within a point of Rodgers' side if it wins its two games in hand, starting with Wednesday's visit by cellar-dwelling Sunderland.

With Chelsea still to visit Anfield on the weekend of April 26-27, Liverpool's grip on first place is far from secure, and City manager Manuel Pellegrini has urged his side not to abandon hope.

"It is not the end of the Premier League," said the Chilean.

"The most important thing now is not dependent what we do in the future.

"If Liverpool wins its four games maybe they deserve to win the title, but we will continue fighting until the end. We have to play one of our games in hand on Wednesday."

City is likely to be without starry midfielder Yaya Toure, who is due to undergo tests on Monday after limping off with a hamstring problem during the first half at Anfield.

The focus this week will also turn to the battle to secure a Champions League place, with Arsenal seeking to break back into the top four after being dislodged by Everton on the weekend.

Arsenal, which beat Wigan Athletic on penalties on Saturday to reach the FA Cup final, welcomes West Ham United to Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, while Everton plays host to Crystal Palace the following day.

Fatigue will be an issue for Arsenal after 120 sapping minutes on the Wembley turf, but defender Thomas Vermaelen said Arsene Wenger's side cannot allow that to cloud its focus.

"It was a long day and a quick turnaround, but we've done that before, playing Saturday and Tuesday, so we can't use that as an excuse," said the Belgian.

"I don't think they (West Ham) will come to the Emirates and just settle. I think they will come with the goal to win."

Like West Ham, Palace is seven points above the relegation zone, having taken a sizeable step towards safety with a 1-0 home win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Everton must still welcome both Manchester clubs to Goodison Park, but with a two-point advantage over Arsenal, it is in the driving seat in the race for a top-four finish.

"We want that pressure in terms of performing well week in, week out, and finding ways to win games consistently," said manager Roberto Martinez.

"But we are fighting to achieve something. We have something to win.

"Believe me when I say that in football, that is no pressure whatsoever."

(China Daily 04/15/2014 page23)