Manchester City topped the Premier League on Tuesday with a 5-0 defeat to West Brom to extend their winning streak to 11 games.
Ilkay Gundogan hit twice, while Joao Cancelo, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling were also on target as Pep Guardiola’s men moved a point ahead of local rivals Manchester United at the top of the table.
United may move back in front when they host Sheffield United at the bottom of the table on Wednesday, but on evidence a few weeks ago City will be able to stop if they are denied a third title in four years.
Liverpool and City have been battling for Premier League supremacy over the past three seasons.
But Liverpool’s five-game league run has allowed City to open seven points above the champions.
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VAR pills on more pain for West Brom
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The Baggies were the last to take points off the leaders with a shock 1-1 draw at the Etihad last month that was still not enough to save Slaven Bilic from the sack.
However, the hiring of Sam Allardyce has so far done little to keep West Brom ‘s chances alive as they are second from bottom, six points off safety.
In four home games since the England vice-captain took charge, West Brom have conceded 17 unanswered goals.
Romp! Pass City 5 past West Brom
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SOUTHAMPTON 1-3 ARSENAL
Bukayo Saka was a star when Arsenal knocked out an FA Cup draw against Southampton with a 3-1 victory in the Premier League replay on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta’s side saw the rule as the FA Cup keepers finished in a 1-0 fourth-round loss at St Mary’s on Saturday.
But Arsenal recovered for that blow with assured success when they returned to Southampton four days later.
Uninterrupted by Stuart Armstrong’s early strike for the guests, Arsenal were ahead before half-time thanks to goals from Nicolas Pepe and Saka.
Alexandre Lacazette filled in the second half when Arsenal came from behind to win an away league game for the first time since Arteta took over in December 2019.
Arsenal are up to eighth place after their fifth win in their last six league games, putting them in rich shape ahead of Saturday’s goal from Manchester United title contestants.
Romp! Pass City 5 past West Brom
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NEWCASTLE 1-2 LEEDS UNIT
Leeds added more misery to Newcastle with a 2-1 win at St James ‘s Park when the Toon’ s win-free run to 11 games put more pressure on the leader under Steve Bruce.
The Magpies have a seven-point lead over the bottom three, but have now played two more games than Fulham in the 18th.
Leeds had been in a bad situation themselves, but got their first win in 2021 to move 14 points net from the relegation zone in 12th.
Raphinha sent Rodrigo the home cut to give Marcelo Bielsa’s men a well-deserved half-time lead.
Miguel Almiron jumped with the first goal at Newcastle for five games early in the second half, but a draw only lasted four minutes before Jack Harrison with the outside of his left foot finished the three points for the visitors.
Leeds extend a streak without Magpies winning
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CRYSTAL PALACE 2-3 WEST HAM UNIT
West Ham moved into the top four in the Premier League when Tomas Soucek scored twice in a 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace.
The hammers suffered an early halt when Wilfried Zaha put Palace in front after just three minutes.
But the stronger-minded David Moyes showed in West Ham this season showed when Soucek hit twice in 16 minutes to turn the game around.
Only Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has scored more Premier League goals from the Czech midfielder since joining Slavia Prague a year ago.
Soucek powered a header from close range from Michail Antonio’s cross and then folded into Aaron Cresswell’s free kick at the back post.
West Ham could have gone out of sight before half-time as Antonio hit the post twice.
The third goal was no more than the visitors deserved and came 25 minutes from time when Craig Dawson went ahead in a Jarrod Bowen corner.
Climb West Ham into the top 4
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Michy Batshuayi pulled a goal back with almost the final kick of the game but it was too little, too late for Palace.
The sixth win after all of the competition puts Moyes ’men ahead of Liverpool in the roster and struggling Reds with Jurgen Klopp will keep an eye on their trip to London Stadium on Sunday.