Premier League leaders Manchester City turned on the style, as they moved 10 points clear at the top with a ruthless 3-1 win at Everton on Thursday (NZ time).
City's 17th straight victory in all competitions put them firmly on course to claim their third Premier League title in four years.
Adding to their strong position, key midfielder Kevin De Bruyne came off the bench to mark his return from a hamstring injury and with the club's all-time scorer Sergio Aguero also close to match fitness, it is hard to see anyone stopping Pep Guardiola's side.
City were without in-form midfielder Ilkay Gundogan for this rearranged fixture, but looked confident from the outset.
A deflected, but sweetly struck, shot from Phil Foden put City ahead at Goodison Park in the 32nd minute but Everton struck back quickly when Lucas Digne's shot hit the post and was turned in by Richarlison.
It was the first goal City have conceded from open play since January 3.
Although Everton stuck at their task well, however, they were undone by two excellent goals after the break.
Bernardo Silva teased the Everton defence on the right flank before slipping the ball to Riyad Mahrez who unleashed an unstoppable curling drive with his left foot which crashed in off the far post.
It was all over when, after a typical City passing move, Silva jinked past Michael Keane and drilled a low shot which Everton keeper Jordan Pickford could only get a futile hand to.
Earlier, Ashley Barnes struck a 52nd-minute equaliser, as Burnley frustrated Fulham's hopes of back-to-back Premier League wins in a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.
Fulham are 18th in the table on 19 points, six behind Newcastle United who occupy the final place above the relegation zone. Burnley moved up to 15th place, eight points above Fulham.
Reuters.
