Manchester City reclaimed top spot in the Premier League with a 5-0 drubbing of Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium that allowed the reigning champions to open up a three-point lead over Liverpool.
Raheem Sterling Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Raheem Sterling scored twice for the hosts with Aymeric Laporte, Rodri and Phil Foden also on target as they shrugged off the bitter disappointment of their Champions League semi-final defeat by Real Madrid.
Sterling eased any early jitters with a header and Laporte's tap-in gave City full control before the interval.
Rodri headed City's third from a corner after the break and Foden swept in his side's fourth before Sterling struck again in stoppage time as City took emphatic advantage of Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur the previous day.
Newcastle's Chris Wood spurned a great chance to give his side an early lead but the visitors were no match for City who took an important step towards a fourth title in five seasons.
City have 86 points to Liverpool's 83 with both sides having three games remaining and City now have a superior goal difference. Liverpool face Aston Villa on Tuesday with City up against Wolverhampton Wanderers a day later.
Meanwhile West Ham United thrashed relegated Norwich City 4-0 to keep the pressure on Manchester United in the battle for sixth place and a swift return to the Europa League.
Victory left the Londoners on 55 points and three behind Manchester United, who lost 4-0 at Brighton yesterday and have played one game more.
David Moyes's side lost their Europa League semi-final to Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 on aggregate last week.
Leeds United suffered a huge setback in their battle for Premier League survival after a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal saw them drop into the relegation zone as the hosts took another step towards securing a top-four finish.
Arsenal remained fourth and moved four points clear of north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League race ahead of Thursday's derby, while Leeds slipped to 18th place as Everton's 2-1 victory at Leicester City lifted them to 16th.
Frank Lampard's side moved up two spots to 16th on 35 points, one point above the drop zone.
And Chelsea won the Women's Super League with a brilliant 4-2 come-from-behind win over Manchester United featuring two stunning volleys from Sam Kerr to secure their third straight league title and fifth in seven years.
Arsenal, who beat West Ham United 2-0, finished second on 56 points, one behind Chelsea, and Manchester City grabbed the final Champions League spot by beating Reading to finish third.
Birmingham City were the only side relegated from the 12-team division, and they will be replaced next season by Liverpool.
-Reuters
