The matches of the 35th day of the Premier League scheduled for Saturday gave rise to a crossover in the lead, Liverpool seizing control by winning at Newcastle (0-1), before Manchester City resumed them with authority in Leeds (4-0).
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Premier League standings
Liverpool mate Newcastle
Largely overhauled after its success (2-0) against Villarreal, in the semi-final of the Champions League, on Wednesday, Liverpool went to win with one of the teams in form in the championship.
Like ten days ago, for a few hours, the Reds sat at the top of the Premier League with 82 points, compared to 80 for City who played last, in Leeds.
For this, it was necessary to bend Magpies who remained on 6 straight victories at Saint-James' Park but who, once again, measured the path to be traveled to mingle at the top of the table, after the takeover by the fund Saudi ruler at the start of the season.
If Liverpool sometimes seemed borrowed in the first period, facing a very grouped opponent and leaving them the ball, the Reds still found the fault quickly.
A one-two between Naby Keïta and Diogo Jota allowed the Guinean, full of composure, to dribble Martin Dubravka in the area and place the ball between two opponents who returned to the line (1-0, 19th).
Liverpool did not know how to give themselves more air, Sadio Mané missing the target (63rd) before Dubravka blocked or repelled attempts by Mohamed Salah (72nd) and Jota (73rd, 79th).
But the essentials are assured before returning to C1 on Tuesday, where the dream of a historic quadruple will once again be in the balance.
Manchester City responds tit for tat
Pressured by the victory of his rival, Manchester City responded with aplomb by winning Leeds (4-0) who did not stop shaking for his maintenance.
With 83 points, they retain their small point lead over Liverpool and the suspense could very well hold over the remaining 4 games and until the 38th day.
In any case, Pep Guardiola's men showed no sign of weakening or deconcentration before going to challenge Real Madrid, crowned Spanish champions in the afternoon, with a small goal on Wednesday. advance (4-3), in the semi-final second leg of the Champions League.
It took two set pieces from Phil Foden to gain the upper hand over the Peacocks.
The first found an uncrossed deflection from the head of Rodri (1-0, 13th) and the second a discount from Ruben Dias for Nathan Aké, who scored from close range (2-0, 54th).
At the end of the match, a good combination between Jack Grealish and Foden, concluded by Gabriel Jesus (3-0, 78th) and a strike from Fernandinho on a ball which trailed in front of the surface (4-0, 90 + 3) gave more scale to this convincing success.
Norwich relegated, Watford on the wire
At the bottom of the table, the fight for maintenance has largely settled, Norwich being mathematically relegated and Watford, almost.
The Canaries, who have made the lift in the last four seasons, no longer had their fate in their hands by losing to Aston Villa (2-0).
But they were doomed by Burnley's stunning victory at Watford (1-2), with two goals in the 83rd and 86th minutes that sealed their fate.
With 21 points, 13 behind Leeds, the first non-relegation player, and four games to play, there will be no more miracles.
Watford, 19th with 22 points, would need an improbable combination of circumstances not to go down, too, a year after going up.
The unenviable third place in relegation will be played between Burnley, who took a good option on maintaining with this third success in a row, Leeds and Everton.
The Claret and Blue, 16th with 34 points, are ahead, on goal difference, of Leeds who will play Arsenal and Chelsea in quick succession.
Everton, 18th with 29 units, but with two more games to play, did not abdicate, even if their home game on Sunday against Chelsea will be very difficult.
