—Cardiff and Fulham relegated
LONDON, (Reuters) – Edin Dzeko’s double at Everton helped Manchester City clear the biggest obstacle blocking its route to a second English title in three years yesterday but Cardiff City and Fulham fell through the relegation trapdoor.
Bosnian striker Dzeko scored either side of halftime at Goodison Park as City won 3-2 to return to the summit for the first time since January and home wins against Aston Villa and West Ham United next week would almost certainly seal the title.
Everton, whose defeat means Arsenal will finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League, led early on with a gem from Ross Barkley but Argentina striker Sergio Aguero equalised and Dzeko put the visitors in command.
Romelu Lukaku ensured a nervy finale with a second for the home side but City, for whom goalkeeper Joe Hart made several fine saves, hung on to move above Liverpool on goal difference.
Both sides have 80 points with two games to play while Chelsea are third on 78, also with two games to play beginning at home to relegation-haunted Norwich City today.
Liverpool play their penultimate game away to Crystal Palace tomorrow with City, who boast a nine-goal superior goal difference, at home to Villa on Wednesday before next Sunday’s finale to a gripping season.
