Much-changed Manchester City rolled the Premier League title race on at least another week with a confident 3-0 victory over sluggish Crystal Palace.
Pep Guardiola's side continue to trail Arsenal by two points with two left to play and will not be able to catch their rivals if Mikel Arteta's side stay perfect between now and May 24. City gave up that privilege after drawing with last week.
But if Arsenal slip - at home to Burnley or away to Crystal Palace on the final day - City have the opportunity to strike. There would be no precedent for that scenario; no team in top division history has made up a deficit of five points as late as May to win the title.
But City's last two performances, both 3-0 wins, suggest they believe it is possible. Guardiola's full-time fist pumps gave the impression he is yet to concede. Even the lesser seen Phil Foden made a compelling case, his pair of assists in the first half putting the hosts into a commanding lead, from which they never looked back.
The opener was special. A moment of instinctive genius from Foden, akin to the like he was producing during his vintage year - when City last won the title in 2023/24. His clever flick found Antoine Semenyo on the move and the forward arrowed a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
Omar Marmoush was the second beneficiary, latching onto a cross that Foden touched into his path before swivelling and cleverly beating Dean Henderson.
Both managers made changes in the second half to save legs with major finals on the horizon. City play Chelsea in the FA Cup showpiece at Wembley in three days while Palace will compete in the Conference League final at the end of the month.
Neither wanted to overexert themselves in a second period which resembled formality more than football match - that is until Rayan Cherki threaded a lovely pass to Savinho and he added a late third. Three big chances created, three converted in a show of ultra-efficiency.
Guardiola has never gone successive seasons without a league title in any country in which he has managed in.
He and his players are putting every reserve of energy into ensuring that record endures. "We have to keep pushing and keep Arsenal on their toes," Foden insisted afterwards, adding: "we have our part to play."
Man City boss Pep Guardiola:
"These type of games against a low block, they defend so well, you need quality, spark, talent. Something that isn't in the tactical board, not in the meeting, not in the training.
"Phil receives the ball in small spaces and creates something. The good players deliver; I'm pleased for him.
"This is a position he's not used to, as a holding midfielder. But I saw in the last game against Brentford he was outstanding. He helped in that position. And then close the box Phil is completely unique."
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner:
"We have to accept Man City were too good for us. You have to have a top performance at Etihad and today we couldn't deliver that. It was ok in some parts, but not in others. We were not on our top level and that is why we lose.
"In possession we moved the ball too slow, we didn't stick to the plan. In our preparation we were too slow. We lost balls too easy. Today players couldn't deliver what we wanted to do. Then you see the quality they have, it's unpredictable.
"We had to manage minutes. It's not to do with fatigue. Going to City to get a point, or more, you need to do better."
