City eye fourth successive title after rout of Fulham, Burnley relegated

LONDON: Manchester City took another decisive step toward an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title with a 4-0 demolition of Fulham on Saturday (May 11) that lifted them two points clear of Arsenal on top of the table with one week remaining.

Burnley were relegated after a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, while Luton Town are on the brink of going down after a 3-1 defeat at West Ham United.

Resurgent Chelsea boosted their European hopes with a 3-2 victory at Nottingham Forest to move level with a sixth-placed Newcastle United who drew 1-1 with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Defeat for Forest meant they could still mathematically finish below Luton although they head to the final day three points better off and with a big goal difference advantage.

Josko Gvardiol scored twice with Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez also on target as City won a seventh successive league game to hit the top of the table with two games left to play.

Pep Guardiola's men have 85 points from 36 games, with Arsenal on 83 from 36. Arsenal can regain top spot by beating Manchester United on Sunday but should they fail to do so, City can win the title with victory at Tottenham on Tuesday.

"The great players enjoy playing with great pressure," Guardiola said. "These players in the last few years have been able to do it and we are again in the latter stages.

"Our dream is, as we said a few weeks ago when they (Arsenal) lost against Aston Villa, to arrive in the last games with it in our hands, to play West Ham at home (season-finale on May 19) with the destiny belonging to us."

City made it 16 successive wins against Fulham in all competitions - an English record for one club against another - with a ruthless display in the Craven Cottage sunshine.

Gvardi