Three talking points from the Premier League

Erling Haaland raged as Manchester City held the fate of the Premier League title in their hands.

Arsenal remain in first place for now after another influential performance from Kai Havertz, while Tottenham's four best hopes lie in tatters.

AFP Sport looks at three talking points from the Premier League this weekend:

Haaland's title mission

Erling Haaland claimed Manchester City are “on a mission” after the Norwegian striker's goalscoring move took them to within three wins of the title.

Haaland scored four goals as the reigning champions cruised to a 5-1 win over Wolves at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to move one point behind Arsenal with a game remaining.

Pep Guardiola's side, who have faced Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham in their last three games, remain on course for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title.

And Haaland, who has now scored 36 goals in all competitions this season despite criticism of his form, said: “It was a great game. It was obviously an important win and scoring four goals was fantastic.”

“It was a difficult game. They can play football, so it wasn’t easy, but we were solid and have a mission.”

“Now focus on the next thing. I’m confident, but we have to keep going, we have to push and concentrate.”

Havertz will not rest in the title fight

Kai Havertz stressed he will not rest in the hunt for Arsenal's first Premier League title in 20 years.

The Gunners' 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday was sealed by goals from Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice.

Havertz won the penalty which Saka fired into the goal to break the deadlock and the German striker relishes the pressure of the run-in.

“I’m really enjoying every second,” he said. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t even want to have a day off because you’re just so excited for the weekend and you really want to work with the team.”

“They want to try to get everything out of us to be better prepared, and we do that every day.”

Arsenal blew an eight-point lead over City last season and handed the Manchester club the title.

But this time they showed little sign of nerves and won four in a row to keep City at bay for now.

“It will be two difficult games. We have a lot ahead of us, we have to win these games and then see where we go,” said Havertz.

Tottenham's defense destroys Champions League dream

Thanks to Aston Villa's 1-0 loss to Brighton, Tottenham are still mathematically alive in the fight for a place in the top four, but a 4-2 defeat at Liverpool has realistically ended their hopes of Champions League qualification .

Ange Postecoglou's side have now conceded 13 goals in their last four lost games and still have to face Manchester City in one of their last three games.

The collapse is part of a wider worrying trend for the Australian coach after a brilliant start to his tenure in north London.

Spurs scored 26 points in the first 10 games of the season. But since then they have only won 32 more in the following 24 games.

Postecoglou is adamant that he will not change his attacking football.

But his side have been easily defeated in recent weeks as the same defensive deficiencies have emerged.

A poor season for Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United had opened the door for Tottenham to return to the Champions League.

Instead, Villa look set to grab those riches, despite having themselves stumbled at the end of the season with just two wins in the last six years.

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