Manchester City responded to losing their top spot earlier in the day to Liverpool once more with a 4-0 victory at Leeds United to return to the No 1 slot, as the top two edged past in-form opposition to continue their exciting battle for the Premier League title.
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A much-changed Liverpool team had gone above Man City after ending Newcastle United's run of four straight victories with a hard-fought 1-0 win at St James' Park thanks to Naby Keita's first-half goal.
That made it 40 points out of a possible 42 in the Premier League for Jurgen Klopp's team as they chase an unprecedented quadruple.
But, despite facing a Leeds side on a five-match unbeaten run, Pep Guardiola's team struck early at Elland Road through Rodri's header and second-half goals from Nathan Ake, Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho sealed the victory that keeps City one point ahead of their title rivals.
City's margin of victory also reduced Liverpool's advantage in goal difference to just one as well, with just four matches each to go.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Man City
MCI
|
38 | +73 | 93 |
| 2 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
38 | +68 | 92 |
| 3 |
Chelsea
CHE
|
38 | +43 | 74 |
| 4 |
Spurs
TOT
|
38 | +29 | 71 |
| 5 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
38 | +13 | 69 |
| 6 |
Man Utd
MUN
|
38 | 0 | 58 |
| 7 |
West Ham
WHU
|
38 | +9 | 56 |
Liverpool have the chance to lay down the gauntlet to City again next Saturday, when they host Tottenham Hotspur, a day before the leaders are at home to Newcastle.
Such an order of fixtures is favourable to Liverpool, according to former Leeds forward Jermaine Beckford.
"I would prefer to play first to get the points on the board, hopefully, and put the pressure on Man City," Beckford said.
Norwich go down
At the other end of the table, Norwich City were relegated after their 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa, combined with Burnley's 2-1 win away to Watford, left them adrift on 21 points at the bottom.
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It is a record sixth relegation from the Premier League for the Canaries.
Burnley's remarkable win at Vicarage Road continued the turnaround in their fortunes after the departure of manager Sean Dyche.
They came from behind to claim victory thanks to two second-half goals in fewer than four minutes.
It meant that Burnley have won 10 points from a possible 12 under Dyche's replacement Mike Jackson.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 |
Everton
EVE
|
38 | -23 | 39 |
| 17 |
Leeds
LEE
|
38 | -37 | 38 |
| 18 |
Burnley
BUR
|
38 | -19 | 35 |
| 19 |
Watford
WAT
|
38 | -43 | 23 |
| 20 |
Norwich
NOR
|
38 | -61 | 22 |
The goals from Jack Cork and Josh Brownhill extended Burnley's lead in the table to five points over Everton, who are in the final relegation place.
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Everton will hope to close the gap on Burnley and Leeds when they host Chelsea on Sunday, one of two matches they have in hand on both their relegation rivals.
Top-four focus
Eyes on Sunday will also turn towards the race to finish fourth as the two leading contenders, Arsenal and Spurs, are in action.
Spurs welcome Leicester, looking to return to winning ways after the draw at Brentford last weekend allowed Arsenal to regain fourth place.
They will also be hoping that their London rivals West Ham United will do them a favour at home to Arsenal.