With the latest round of Premier League games spread across three days, there were just six top-flight games on Sunday. However, there was still plenty to play for at both ends of the table. Here is what happened in the big games.
Foden winner sends City to the top of the table
The only goal of the game arrived after just five minutes. Sergio Aguero cushioned a Bernardo Silva cross to Foden at the far post and the youngster produced a diving header from close-range to give City a dream start.
However, the visitors always looked a threat, as on 14 minutes Citizens goalkeeper Ederson saved a Christian Eriksen effort with his feet before Aymeric Laporte produced a superb tackle on Heung-Min Son.
On 38 minutes, City experienced what could be a major blow to their season, as Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne was forced to leave the pitch after injuring himself attempting to get a shot away. City needed Ederson to preserve their slender lead, as the Brazilian raced off his goalline to once again prevent the lively Son.
The home side saw two penalty appeal turned down in the early stages of the second period. Referee Michael Oliver turned down a claim that Toby Alderweireld had handled the ball in the penalty area before waving away claims that Juan Forth had barged Foden over in the penalty area.
Tottenham had two penalty claims of their own, as Kyle Walker appeared to handle to stop Dele Alli getting on the end of a long ball forward, while a flick from Son looked to have caught John Stones on his arm.
City looked set to double their lead on 71 minutes, as Raheem Sterling got onto the end of Leroy Sane cross, only for Spurs stand-in goalkeeper Pablo Gazzaniga to save the effort with his legs.
Pep Guardiola’s team survived a scare late on, as Ederson saved from Lucas Moura after a good through ball from Alderweireld. In the end, though, City hung on to the win and moved two points clear of Liverpool in the race for the title.
The Citizens remain the favourites for the title. Spurs could end the weekend outside the top-four of Arsenal and Chelsea win their games.
Perez scores a hat-trick to sink the Saints
Newcastle virtually secured their Premier League status for next season by recording a 3-1 win over Southampton, with Spanish striker Ayoze Perez the hero of the hour grabbing a hat-trick.
The Magpies took the lead on 27 minutes, as Perez held off the challenge of Maya Yoshida before firing a low effort beyond Angus Gunn into the far corner of the net. The home side doubled their lead four minutes later.
Salomon Rondon beat Jan Bednarek before firing a cross to the far post, where Perez dived in to double the Magpies lead. The visitor’s looked to be back in the game just before the hour mark, as Stuart Armstrong laid the ball off to Mario Lemina, who curled an effort into the far corner of Martin Dubravka’s goal.
Yoshida missed a fantastic opportunity to level the scores from close-range before Ki Sung-Yeung and Isaac Hayden both hit the post with efforts from distance. Newcastle sealed victory with just four minutes left on the clock. Perez was in the right place at the right time to finish after Matt Ritchie found the Spaniard with a diving header.
The victory moved Newcastle ten points clear of the relegation zone. If Cardiff suffers defeat against Liverpool later today, then the Magpies will definitely be playing top-flight football next season. Southampton will have a rather more nervous end to the campaign, as the Saints are just five points clear of the drop zone.
Saturday’s other Premier League results:
Bournemouth 0-1 Fulham
Huddersfield 1-2 Watford
West Ham 2-2 Leicester
Wolves 0-0 Brighton
Who recorded the result of the day in Saturday’s Premier League action?
