Man City chance of another Premier League record ended by tiny margin

If there was any consolation for Raheem Sterling, this wasn't the biggest goal he has scored at the Etihad only to see it chalked off by VAR. Manchester City can certainly take consolation from still being top of the league with seven games to go having held off a spirited challenge from Liverpool.

But if some of the fine margins in the 2018/19 tussle between these two brilliant sides fell City's way - John Stones clearing off the line against Liverpool and Sergio Aguero's effort just making it over at Burnley - here was a call that tipped over onto the Merseyside side of the scales. The feet that Sterling used to think he had put City 3-2 up in this absorbing game were onside, alas other parts of him were not.

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It may not end up making a difference, just as Sterling's early miss in the game was quickly forgotten as Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring from the same phase of play. As it is though, City can bemoan a matter of millimetres meaning their gap at the top is one point rather than four.

It also means that their long run this season of not dropping a point from a winning position is over after 23 wins. They can still equal the record if they do not drop any more before the season is out, but the chance to break new ground is over.

Gabriel Jesus had not started a Premier League game since New Year's Day and had not scored a Premier League goal since the one he got against Chelsea in September. The decision to start him for their biggest Premier League game, and ahead of their top goalscorer Riyad Mahrez, looked curious at best.

Guardiola clearly knows a thing or two about football though because the selection was absolutely inspired.