Sterling at the double as City take big step towards Premier League title

Manchester City bounced back from their European heartbreak to move a step closer to retaining the Premier League title by thrashing Newcastle United 5-0 yesterday.

Raheem Sterling, inset, started and finished the scoring as City powered three points clear of rivals Liverpool at the top of the table, while significantly boosting their goal difference.

Joao Cancelo, Rodri and substitute Phil Foden were also on target in a one-sided encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

The performance and result was an emphatic response to Pep guardiola' s side seeing their Champions League dreams shattered in midweek by Real Madrid's dramatic semi-final fightback at the Bernabeu.

Earlier, Everton climbed out of the relegation zone at the expense of Leeds United, while Arsenal strengthened their hopes of Champions League qualification.

Goals from defenders Vitaliy Mykolenko and Mason Holgate, either side of Patson Daka’s equaliser, earned the Toffees a crucial

2-1 success at Leicester City.

Leeds, meanwhile, were beaten 2-1 by the Gunners at Emirates Stadium to plunge into the drop zone.

An early double from Eddie Nketiah, who had an underwhelming loan spell at Elland Road two seasons ago, proved decisive.

Diego Llorente halved the deficit for the 10-man visitors, but they were unable to fully recover from captain Luke Ayling being dismissed in the 27th minute for a reckless, two-footed lunge at Gabriel Martinelli.

The yorkshire club slip a point behind Frank Lampard’s Ever ton, having played a game more, and remain below fellow strugglersb urn le yon goal difference.

A fourth consecutive win for fourth-placed arsenal lifts them four points clear of bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the race for Champions League qualification, ahead of Thursday's north London derby.

Elsewhere yesterday, a Said Benrahma brace helped West Ham United set aside their European disappointment as they thumped relegated Norwich City 4-0.

Michail Antonio was also on target at Carrow Road, while Manuel Lanzini completed the scoring from the penalty spot.

Victory for David Moyes' visitors, who lost to Eintracht Frankfurt in the europa league semi-finals on Thursday, gives them fresh hope of snatching sixth from Manchester United.