City canter to win as three-horse race might now be two...

CITY won a Premier League title at Brighton in 2019 to deny Liverpool on a dramatic final day.

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

Their latest trip won't win another just yet, but it could be the result that denies Liverpool a farewell crown for Jurgen Klopp.

In this three-horse title race, Liverpool have unseated themselves in recent weeks, with their manager and captain effectively conceding the title after a dismal derby defeat at Everton on Wednesday.

City pulled them up as they leapfrogged Liverpool into second, and have the momentum against leaders Arsenal with the home straight approaching.

After so much talk of tiredness and fixture scheduling, this was a performance that looked like City had all the time in the world to prepare for. They were well-drilled, hungry, and their press was excellent. They were everything Liverpool weren't the night before, and made a tricky Brighton side look ordinary.

Guardiola and his players had complained of tiredness and taken not-so subtle swipes at the FA for their scheduling of their Champions League and FA Cup games last week. Bernardo insisted it was not fair and the turnaround between games was putting players' health at risk.

They have a legitimate point, but the welfare issue was put into perspective by the appearance of Russ Cook ahead of kick-off, who has just run the length of Africa - what must he think of these Premier League players complaining of playing 180 minutes over three days. Thankfully, there were no fitness issues at the Amex.

Guardiola had a luxurious five days to prepare for this game after all, giving his squad two days off and then 'putting them in the fridge' before this Thursday night contest. On this basis, they might be heading back in there for the rest of the season.