Man City, Liverpool in lockstep atop standings
Premier League leaders remain just one point apart after wins over Newcastle and Leeds
LEEDS, England — The Premier League's top two teams continued to keep pace with each other on Saturday as Manchester City and Liverpool earned crucial wins in their bids for the title, while bottom side Norwich City had its relegation confirmed after losing 2-0 at Aston Villa.
Elsewhere at the bottom of the standings, Burnley's revival under caretaker boss Mike Jackson continued as a thrilling 2-1 win at Watford pulled it five points clear of the relegation zone, a result that ensured Norwich will play championship soccer next term.
All eyes were on St. James' Park in the day's early kickoff, less than 72 hours from Liverpool's Champions League semifinal first leg win over Villarreal, where victory over Newcastle United would send Juergen Klopp's side into first place.
Klopp juggled his lineup to start, and one of the players coming in, Naby Keita, struck what proved to be the winner in the first half to push Liverpool above City temporarily.
The win continued a relentless run of form that has dragged Liverpool back into the title race. Klopp's men have picked up 40 of the last 42 points available, only dropping points away to City.
Newcastle, looking for its fifth straight league win, never gave in, but could not break through a near-impenetrable Liverpool rearguard.
Liverpool have kept 21 clean sheets in the league this season — more than any other side. Only in 2005-06 (22) have they kept more shutouts in a single campaign in the division.
“It's a win in the most difficult of circumstances,” Klopp told BT Sport. “A team in form, a crowd waiting for ages for proper success. Coming here with five changes and building pretty much a new setup is really difficult, so the performance was absolutely outstanding.”
With Liverpool's task complete, it was City's turn to continue its impressive form at Leeds United, which is battling to stay in the Premier League.
City boss Pep Guardiola also made plenty of changes to his side, with Wednesday's Champions League semifinal second leg clash with Real Madrid in mind, leading to the visitors looked a little disjointed at the outset.
However, they soon found their feet with Spanish midfielder Rodri heading them into a 13th-minute lead before another goal from a corner, this time stabbed home by Nathan Ake early in the second half, putting them in control.
A raucous Elland Road crowd did its best to put City off, and the hosts had their chances, but further goals from Gabriel Jesus and substitute Fernandinho restored City to top spot on 83 points from 34 matches played, one point clear of Liverpool.
“We knew coming here the way they play, we suffered a lot in the first half,” Guardiola said. “But in the end we had control and could have scored more. An incredible result for us.”
Leeds is five points clear of the relegation zone after its first defeat in six league games. However, Leeds has played two more games than Everton in 18th.
Burnley is on the rise after a spirited comeback win at Watford which edged the hosts closer to the drop.
Late goals from Jack Cork and Josh Brownhill earned the visitors their first comefrom-behind away win in the Premier League.
A third league win in a row under caretaker Jackson lifts Burnley to 16th on 34 points from 34 matches, five clear of Everton but having played two games more. Watford remains in 19th place on 22 points, seven behind Everton.
Norwich, however, limped out of the Premier League with a whimper following a goal and assist by Villa substitute Danny Ings. They are 13 points from the safety zone, with only 12 points still left to play for.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace earned a 2-1 win at Southampton, while Brighton & Hove Albion beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0.