Pep Guardiola finds Man City balance in unexpected substitution

The three points were enough to take Manchester City back ahead of Liverpool in the table. The five goals were the icing on a cake that must taste a lot better than it did on Wednesday night.

Following all the emotions of their Champions League defeat, the best thing that could have happened came at Anfield on Saturday night when Tottenham frustrated Jurgen Klopp and his side. A 1-1 draw meant that the defending champions knew going into their match with Newcastle that they could end the weekend three points ahead with three games to go.

Not only did City manage it, but they also moved clear on goal difference as well. Their winning margin of five takes them four goals ahead of Liverpool, meaning that even if they lose one of their final three matches there is no guarantee they will be knocked off top spot.

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Since announcing in a press conference that he would be off at the end of the season because he wants more playing time, Fernandinho has since played seven of the subsequent eight games. That may say more about the injury situation in the squad - he replaced Ruben Dias here at half-time, while John Stones remains sidelined - but does show his enduring value.

Guardiola could have turned to Nathan Ake or Luke Mbete on the bench, both natural centre-backs. However, as well as Ake not being fully fit they are both left-footers and the manager's preference for balance, especially after an untidy first half, probably pushed it in Fernandinho's favour.

It turns out that City do not save their dodgy defensive performances for Champions League knockout ties. Newcastle took the game to the Blues and came close to getting their rewards as the