Premier League leaders Man City go 10 points clear

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  • 2021-02-18 HKT 07:05″ title=”Bernardo Silva (R) wrapped up the scoring for Manchester City, winners of 17 consecutive games in all competitions. Photo: Reuters”>


    Bernardo Silva (R) wrapped up the scoring for Manchester City, winners of 17 consecutive games in all competitions. Photo: Reuters
    Bernardo Silva (R) wrapped up the scoring for Manchester City, winners of 17 consecutive games in all competitions. Photo: Reuters

Manchester City opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win at Everton to extend their English top-flight record winning run to 17 games.

Riyad Mahrez scored the pick of the goals in between Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva’s strikes as Pep Guardiola’s men took another huge step towards a third title in four years.

Richarlison’s first-half equaliser was little consolation for seventh-placed Everton, who have now won just one of their last six league games to fall five points behind in the battle for a top-four finish.

This fixture was rearranged from late December due to a coronavirus outbreak affecting multiple players at City that threatened to derail their title challenge.

Guardiola’s side were eighth in the table at the time, but have not dropped a point in their 10 league games since to streak clear of the chasing pack.

The visitors were without the in-form Ilkay Gundogan due to a groin injury picked up in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Tottenham, while Kevin De Bruyne was fit to return from a hamstring problem but only from the bench.

When the deadlock was broken there was a hint of fortune to it as Foden’s shot deflected off Seamus Coleman to leave the helpless Jordan Pickford wrong-footed.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men had shown no attacking intent until conceding, but were immediately rewarded for pushing forward after falling behind as Lucas Digne’s shot came back off the post and ricocheted in off Richarlison.

That was just the second goal City have conceded in nine league games, but there still seemed little doubt they would find a way to extend their winning run.

Meanwhile, Fulham missed the opportunity to close to within four points of Premier League survival as Burnley came back from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw.

Scott Parker’s men had breathed new life into the relegation battle with a highly impressive 2-0 win at Everton on Sunday for their first win in 13 league games.

Another victory would have had Newcastle looking over their shoulder and the visitors went in front at Turf Moor with a hint of fortune four minutes into the second-half. (AFP)