Man City slumps as rivals thrive: How the Premier League title race has turned

The last four rounds of Premier League action have seen reigning champion Manchester City dramatically lose ground on its rivals.

Published : Dec 26, 2018 23:49 IST

Liverpool celebrate their third goal during their 4-0 win against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Liverpool celebrate their third goal during their 4-0 win against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday.
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Liverpool celebrate their third goal during their 4-0 win against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Liverpool's hopes of claiming a first top-flight title in 29 years were enhanced again on Wednesday as it moved six points clear at the summit.

As Jurgen Klopp's men coasted to a 4-0 home victory over Newcastle United, Manchester City was beaten for the third time in four Premier League matches, losing 2-1 at Leicester City.

As a result, the reigning champion - which topped the table at the start of December - are now seven points adrift of Liverpool, with free-scoring Tottenham up to second, six points off the pace.

We look at the contrasting fortunes of the top three in recent weeks.

LIVERPOOL - 51 points (last four games - W W W W)

Amid City stumbling, Liverpool has taken advantage with eight straight wins, its best ever Premier League run under Klopp. A 4-0 victory at Bournemouth set the tone for their recent form - Mohamed Salah returning to his prolific best with a hat-trick - while Xherdan Shaqiri's brace secured a 3-1 Anfield win over Manchester United.

RELATED| Salah strikes again to punish City loss as Klopp reaches 100 wins

Victories over Wolves and Newcastle United have since been sealed without needing third gear, but Arsenal and City are up next for the Reds.

TOTTENHAM - 45 points (last four games - W W W W)

Spurs' purple patch started following its 4-2 derby defeat to Arsenal at the beginning of December and it is now on a winning run of five in the Premier League, propelling it back into the hunt for top-flight honours.

RELATED| Spurs goes to second spot after 5-0 hammering of Bournemouth

Perhaps the most alarming element of Spurs' form for its title rivals is the free-scoring nature of its recent victories, Mauricio Pochettino's men winning 6-2 at Everton on Sunday before a 5-0 hammering of Bournemouth at Wembley on Boxing Day. Spurs next faces Wolves and Cardiff City before welcoming Manchester United to Wembley on January 13.

MANCHESTER CITY - 44 points (last four games - L W L L)

City headed to Stamford Bridge aiming to reclaim top spot from Liverpool and played for much of the first half with an irresistible swagger. Pep Guardiola's side was almost implausibly dominant but it failed to score. On its first attack of any note in the 44th minute, Chelsea did through N'Golo Kante and City has never truly rediscovered its poise. In a run of three defeats in four games, it actually conceded the most chances in the game it won, but Richarlison was the main culprit as Everton sunk to a Gabriel Jesus-inspired 3-1 defeat.

RELATED|  Pereira strike sinks City to third spot

Since then, Andros Townsend and Ricardo Pereira have produced moments of magic that City's sudden vulnerability provided fertile ground for. Retaining the league from this position would rank alongside anything Guardiola has achieved in his decorated career.

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