Jesus brace puts City back on top

Manchester City moved back to the top of the English Premier League, while Tottenham Hotspur left it late and West Ham United’s good form continued yesterday.

Gabriel Jesus scored two goals and Raheem Sterling added a third as City beat Everton 3-1 to go two points above Liverpool, who host Manchester United this morning.

‘‘The players responded in a marvellous way,’’ City manager Pep Guardiola said after the champions rebounded from their first league loss at Chelsea last weekend.

‘‘Today was tricky — a dangerous, dangerous game. I am very pleased.’’

Jesus opened the scoring in the 22nd minute off a pass from Leroy Sane and headed home another Sane cross to make it 2-0 early in the second half.

Everton was given a glimmer of hope through Dominic Calvertlewin’s header, but Sterling came off the bench and settled matters with a header of his own in the 69th minute.

Tottenham had to battle to the very end to beat Burnley 1-0 and tighten their grip on third place.

Christian Eriksen’s 91stminute goal moved Spurs within five points of City and also five points clear of Chelsea and Arsenal behind them.

‘‘To score in extra time was extra nice,’’ Eriksen said.

‘‘The games are so close if you drop any points . . . getting in a flow like we are now feeds confidence.

‘‘We are in a good situation and feel confident going into any game.’’

West Ham beat Fulham 2-0 for their fourth straight win, their best league run in almost five years.

Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio were on target as the Hammers rose to ninth.

‘‘We’re starting to gel, things are just going well for us,’’ Antonio said. ‘‘Hopefully, we keep going.’’ Fulham remain rooted to the bottom of the table on nine points, having conceded 42 goals in 17 games.

Wolverhampton Wanderers made it three straight wins by beating Bournemouth 2-0 with goals from Raul Jimenez and Ivan Cavaleiro.

Watford raced out to a big lead and then held on to beat Cardiff 3-2.

Gerard Deulofeu, Jose Holebas and Domingos Quina put Watford firmly in control, but late scores from Junior Hoilett and Bobby Reid made things a bit nervy at the finish.

Salomon Rondon scored the only goal as Newcastle won at Huddersfield, while Luka Milivojevic’s first-half strike was the difference as Crystal Palace beat Leicester 1-0.