Manchester City reclaimed top spot in the Premier League with a 5-0 drubbing of Newcastle United that allowed the reigning champions to open up a three-point lead over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Raheem Sterling scored twice for the hosts with Aymeric Laporte, Rodri and Phil Foden also on target as they shrugged off the bitter disappointment of their Champions League semi-final defeat by Real Madrid.

Sterling eased any early jitters with a header and Laporte’s tap-in gave City full control before the interval. Rodri headed City’s third from a corner after the break and Foden swept in his side’s fourth before Sterling struck again in stoppage time as City took emphatic advantage of Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur the previous day.

Newcastle’s Chris Wood spurned a great chance to give his side an early lead but the visitors were no match for City who took an important step towards a fourth title in five seasons.

City have 86 points to Liverpool’s 83 with both sides having three games remaining and City now have a superior goal difference of four. Pep Guardiola’s side need seven points from their last three games to be guaranteed the title.

Liverpool face Aston Villa on Tuesday with City up against Wolverhampton Wanderers a day later.

“The margin between us and Liverpool is so tight and goal difference can happen. It was important we win,” Guardiola said.

“It was a perfect afternoon. If some people doubted us they don’t know this team. Three points, nine points to play for, four ahead on goal difference. Another final on Wednesday.”

Crucial three points

Everton climbed out of relegation zone with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Leicester City after defenders Vitalii Mykolenko and Mason Holgate scored at the King Power Stadium.

Frank Lampard’s side moved up two spots to 16th on 35 points, one point above the drop zone, as Leeds United slipped to 18th after a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal. Watford and Norwich City have already been relegated to the second-tier Championship.

It was Everton’s only second league win on the road this season, having last won an away league game in August against Brighton.

“It’s about the team performance. To win 2-1 away from home — it feels like forever since we won away from home,” said goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who made stunning saves in the second half.

“It’s about commitment, attitude, team spirit. That’s what gets you over the line.”

Everton have four matches left this season, one more than all the teams below them. They travel to Watford on Wednesday.

Blow to Leeds

Leeds suffered a huge setback in their battle for survival as a 2-1 loss at Arsenal plunged them into the relegation zone and the hosts took another step towards securing a top-four finish.

An early quickfire double from former Leeds loanee Eddie Nketiah put Arsenal in firm control before the visitors were reduced to 10 midway through the first half when Luke Ayling was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.

Pressure on United

West Ham thrashed relegated Norwich City 4-0 to keep the pressure on Manchester United in the battle for sixth place and a swift return to the Europa League.

Said Benrahma put the Hammers ahead in the 12th minute at Carrow Road with a deflected volley hit right-footed and low off a Jarrod Bowen pass, and bagged his second in first-half stoppage time.

Victory left the Londoners on 55 points and three behind Manchester United, who have played one game more.

(Written with inputs from Reuters)