London – Manchester City moved to within touching distance of a first English league title in 44 years after Yaya Toure scored twice in a 2-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday.
Victory left leaders City three points ahead of Manchester United and put the pressure on the reigning champions ahead of their home match against Swansea later in the day, with just one round of fixtures left after Sunday's matches.
It also meant, importantly, they had a goal difference advantage of plus 10 over their cross-town rivals.
Ivory Coast midfielder Toure opened the scoring in the 70th minute when he struck a curling shot from the edge of the box that had too much on it for Newcastle keeper Tim Krul.
City, last crowned champions of England in 1968, wasted several more chances to put the result beyond doubt before Toure, with Newcastle pressing for an equaliser, finished off a counter-attack a minute from full-time.
Roberto Mancini's men are at home to struggling Queens Park Rangers a week on Sunday when United travel to Sunderland.
Defeat left Newcastle in fifth place Ä just outside the top four spot they need to have a chance of Champions League qualification.
Tottenham were looking to capitalise on Arsenal's slip-up in a 3-3 draw with Norwich on Saturday and leapfrog their north London rivals into third place and a guaranteed spot in the first round of next season's Champions League with victory at Aston Villa.
At the bottom of the table Bolton were looking to climb out of the relegation zone against West Bromwich Albion in what will be Baggies' boss Roy Hodgson's penultimate game in charge before he takes up the post of England manager.
QPR, only above the bottom three on goal difference, were at home to Stoke while already relegated Wolves faced Everton with mid-table sides Fulham and Sunderland meeting at Craven Cottage.
Second bottom Blackburn play Wigan, not yet out of danger, on Monday. – Sapa-AFP