Phil Foden scored his first Premier League goal as Manchester City beat Tottenham 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium to bounce back from Champions League heartbreak and move a step closer to retaining its domestic crown.
Spurs ended City's European adventure on Wednesday despite losing 4-3 in a controversial and thrilling encounter at the Etihad, but Pep Guardiola's men clinched a measure of revenge on Saturday.
An entertaining first period saw just the one goal despite several opportunities at both ends, with Foden – making only his second top-flight start – opening his Premier League account in the fifth minute , though City did lose Kevin De Bruyne to injury.
Spurs was aggrieved to not be awarded a second-half penalty and that ultimately proved crucial as City held on to the slender victory, taking it back above Liverpool to the Premier League's summit ahead of Wednesday's trip to Manchester United.
Although Spurs started by going close through Son Heung-min, City took an early lead as it did in midweek, Foden nodding in after Sergio Aguero headed a Bernardo Silva delivery back across goal.
Spurs responded well as Christian Eriksen tested Ederson and Aymeric Laporte had to make a last-ditch tackle to deny Son, but City looked purposeful in attack and should have won a penalty when Jan Vertonghen sent Silva tumbling in the 20th minute.
City continued to grow as the first half progressed, though it lost De Bruyne to what appeared to be a knee injury just before the break, handing Spurs a boost.
Proceedings were tighter after the interval, though City could count itself lucky to not concede a spot-kick – Kyle Walker seemingly handling the ball in the box after a Dele Alli flick.
Raheem Sterling should have wrapped things up with 19 minutes to go when directing Leroy Sane's cross goalwards, but Paulo Gazzaniga saved it with his right foot.
That ushered in an anxious end for City, with Ederson forced to thwart Lucas Moura, but the host dug deep to secure a crucial victory.
What does it mean? One final major obstacle remains
Most people identified two matches in City's run-in that could see it slip-up; Tottenham at home and away to United. It is now past the first hurdle relatively unscathed. It is seemingly only bitter rival United that stands between City and a second successive Premier League triumph.
Silva shines bright
The best player on the pitch, by some distance. Silva constantly caused Ben Davies problems on the right flank, while his darting runs inside helped open up gaps in the Spurs defence, as was the case for Foden's goal. A fine display.
Gazzaniga unconvincing
While there was not much he could have done about the goal, Gazzaniga's general involvements were otherwise unimpressive, as he tried to over-complicate play and never looked in command in the penalty area.
What's next?
Things do not get easier for City as it faces the short trip to Old Trafford on Wednesday. Spurs hosts Brighton and Hove Albion the day before.
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