Leicester reality check

MANCHESTER City provided a timely reminder it may still pose the greatest threat to Liverpool in the Premier League title race as it put second-placed Leicester City firmly in its place on Saturday.

Eight wins and a draw in its past nine games had seen Leicester emerge as the closest pursuer of runaway leader Liverpool but it went down 3-1 at Etihad Stadium despite taking an early lead through Jamie Vardy’s 17th goal of the campaign.

Riyad Mahrez equalised and Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty before half-time gave Pep Guardiola’s side the lead.

Gabriel Jesus confirmed the champion’s superiority after the break as it moved a point behind Leicester and 11 adrift of Liverpool, which has a game in hand.

Sheffield United’s first season back in the top flight goes from strength to strength as it beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0, with Oliver McBurnie on target as it moved up to fifth.

Wolverhampton Wanderers came from behind to win 2-1 at relegation-threatened Norwich City to move to sixth.

Aston Villa dropped into the bottom three after losing 3-1 at home to Southampton which, with the help of a brace from Danny Ings, climbed above it and out of the relegation zone.

Paraguay international Miguel Almiron scored his first Newcastle United goal at the 27th attempt in the league, striking late to earn a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Burnley snatched a 1-0 win at Bournemouth with Jay Rodriguez pouncing in the 89th minute.