Manchester City are back on top of the Premier League after producing a display of champions at Arsenal.
There had been huge anticipation in the lead up to this - the first league meeting of the two title protagonists - and it was the champions who dealt the champions elect a timely blow. Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish scored second-half goals to secure a massive win in a clash that ebbed and flowed for long periods.
Arsenal will have felt aggrieved to go behind when Kevin De Bruyne pounced on an error to give the visitors the lead, but Bukayo Saka's penalty late in the first-half meant the hosts went into the interval deservedly level.
They continued to push with Eddie Nketiah unable to get onto a cross that was begging for a touch. Grealish produced the game's major moment midway through the second 45 when he finished first time, owing to a slight deflection, past Aaron Ramsdale.
Erling Haaland, without a goal in three games, then produced a neat touch and finish to all but seal the three points as City ran over to celebrate in front of the travelling fans. Arsenal, who for so long have enjoyed a comfortable lead, are now reliant on winning their game in hand to resist the City charge.
Here are the talking points from north London.
1 Advantage City
Whoever won at the Emirates was going to be top come midnight on Wednesday. With plenty of games to go, the winner was going to secure momentum, but by no means assure themselves of the title.
Grealish was able to take centre stage with his third goal of the season as City hit top spot with a statement win at the Emirates. It is Arsenal's first defeat on their own patch in the league this season as City showed all the hallmarks of a champion side. Guardiola's outfit were able to showed their dogged side with two of their goals owing to Arsenal errors.
The hosts, roared on by a passionate home crown, continued to gee up their players every time a mistake was made but their impressive play didn't have sufficient end product and big questions will be asked about their mentality ahead of their biggest challenge so far.
2 A contentious decision
Anthony Taylor will have caused plenty of division by giving Arsenal a first-half penalty. For some it was careless from Ederson, who collided with Nketiah as he attempted to close down the forward. For others, they'll ask what the Brazilian is supposed to do after Nketiah gets his shot off.
A similar decision was given in the World Cup when Julian Alvarez won a penalty for Argentina against Croatia - with opinion split on that occasion too. Ederson wasn't booked, even though he was already on a yellow card, and had to pick the ball out of his net.
Saka was the grateful recipient of the penalty as he scored once more from the spot. For many though, the precedent has been set. So often, clashes between goalkeepers and strikers in those situations result in nothing, are there will now be calls for more consistency.
3 City caught between styles
We'll debate forever whether City need to adapt to Haaland or whether he should adapt to them, after all he's joined a team who've been the champions for four of the past five seasons. It worked seamlessly in the early weeks, but whenever City stutter questions are asked about their No 9 - that was not the case tonight however.
Those critics are perhaps manifesting themselves on the players. City's desire for possession and control isn't at the level it once was, instead they're happy to go route one - which is not something you'd ever expect from a Guardiola side. On numerous occasions midfield players were seem looking for the early pass up to the Norwegian, when in any other season they'd have played a simple pass to retain the ball and build again. The latter has proved successful, the former still has to pass the test, but looks like it could do just that.
4 Saka is spot on
At his tender age, of one of the defining images of Saka's career is his penalty miss for England in the Euro 2020 final. Many players may have wilted after such an ordeal, but the Arsenal man is ensuring that he is remembered for the penalties he scores - not those he missed.
Saka drew huge praise when he scored a penalty in an away win at Chelsea late last season. Since then he's scored from 12 yards against Manchester United, Liverpool and City.
Some of those efforts have come at crucial times and the Arsenal star is now becoming ever reliable from 12 yards. He was forced to wait as City protested against the decision on Wednesday night and made light of Ederson's mind games to send him the wrong way.
5 KDB on cue
He'd only scored three times before the clash at the Emirates, a relatively low tally for a player of his ilk. Yes Haaland has taken the goal scoring burden off his team-mates, but De Bruyne was due a goal and he came up with a belter at a crucial moment.
His strike at the Emirates was his sixth against Arsenal in the league - his most against any opponent. The Belgian has previously stood up in games against Arsenal - particularly a 3-0 win in north London back in 2019 - and proved to be the quickest to react to an Arsenal error. Being presented with the opportunity is one thing, but to take it like he did was another.
6 Bernardo's unothrodox role
He's been used as the false nine before, such are his qualities in the final third, but in recent weeks Bernardo Silva has had to educate himself. The Portuguese playmaker was seen occupying a left-back role in Sunday's win over Aston Villa - and that was again the position he was asked to fill in London.
Out of possession Bernardo was freed to join the midfield as the visitors stuck to a back three. Yet out of possession he was asked to fill in on the left, outside of Nathan Ake. For all his quality Bernardo is by no means the most gifted defensive player and that was obvious against Bukayo Saka.
He was eventually booked after several fouls. His confusion was clear and, during a break in play, he sought answers from Guardiola on the touchline in what looked an animated conversation that also involved Ake and Rodri, before he was booked before half-time.
