Jesus saves City

Laporte and Jesus fire the Blues back to pole position

MANCHESTER

CITY have returned to the top of the Premier League after the title pendulum swung back in their favour.

City have gobbled up Liverpool’s fivepoint lead in four days to claim pole position for the first time since mid-december.

Their sixth victory in the last seven league games ends Liverpool’s 52-day stay in the No.1 spot and they are now favourites to retain the title they won in record-breaking style last season.

Aymeric Laporte made the crucial breakthrough on the stroke of half-time by

scoring his fourth goal of the season. City also went close as Ilkay Gundogan hit the bar and Laporte headed wide from another chance.

Substitute Gabriel Jesus sealed victory with a goal seven minutes into stoppage time, heading in a rebound after his chip was saved.

Pep Guardiola’s side have now won 10 of their last 11 games to remain on track for a historic Quadruple.

But Everton’s miserable run continues, despite this improved performance, and they have lost eight of their last 13 league matches.

Guardiola said: “Goodison is always tough. We didn’t concede one shot on target. It’s a good win. We have to wait for Liverpool to go to Old Trafford (on Feb 24). If they win we are not top. We have a tough game against Chelsea, its non-stop.”