Contrasting wins for City and Spurs in EPL

Manchester City ultimately sauntered to a 3-0 win at Huddersfield while Tottenham needed a goal by Harry Winks in the third and final minute of injury time to earn a 2-1 victory at Fulham.

The fierce pace set by Liverpool at the Premier League summit is putting severe pressure on its only two genuine title rivals, Manchester City and Tottenham.

They both won yesterday – but in contrasting ways.

While City triumphed comfortably, Tottenham needed a goal by Harry Winks in the third and final minute of injury time to earn a 2-1 victory at Fulham.

Second-placed City moved back to four points behind Liverpool. With the likes of Kevin De Bruyne fit again, and intense competition for places throughout the squad, the champions look in good shape to take Liverpool all the way.

It might be tougher for thirdplaced Spurs, and not just because they are a further five points adrift. Already missing forwards Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, the team might also be without Dele Alli for an extended period after he hobbled off late in the game with a left hamstring injury.

In Tottenham’s final attack, Winks made a surging run into the area and met an inswinging cross by Georges-Kevin Nkoudou with a stooping header from close range. The win allowed Spurs to trim the gap to leaders Liverpool back to nine points after 23 of 38 games.

Fulham took the lead thanks to an own-goal by Fernando Llorente — the replacement for the injured Kane — in the 17th minute. Alli equalised in the 51st, heading in powerfully from Christian Eriksen’s cross, but didn’t finish the match.

The England international, an attacking midfielder who can play up front, stayed down clutching the back of his leg after sliding into an advertising hoarding following a tackle. He eventually got up and hobbled to the tunnel.

Kane is out for an estimated two months because of an ankle injury, while Son has joined up with South Korea at the Asian Cup.

Meanwhile, manager Pep Guardiola was still demanding more despite City’s three-goal win at Huddersfield.

‘‘This game can teach us and show what we have to do to improve,’’ said Guardiola, ever the perfectionist.

The City manager was unhappy at the pace his team played at, as well as the quality of the passing in the first half. The champions did rely on a stroke of fortune to earn a halftime lead, with full back Danilo’s long-range shot taking a wicked deflection before spinning into the net in the 18th.

City was better after the break, with wingers Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane scoring as City eased to a fifth straight win in all competitions.