Liverpool's Joel Matip (L) is challenged by Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in London, Britain, on Dec. 19, 2021. (Xinhua)
LONDON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Manchester City thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 at St James' Park in the first of just three Premier League games to be played on Sunday, to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
With the majority of the weekend program postponed due to outbreaks of Covid-19 at various clubs, Pep Guardiola's side were able to take full advantage of the situation to get another three points in the bag.
A dreadful mix-up between Ciaran Clark and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka allowed Ruben Dias to put City ahead after just five minutes.
Cancelo doubled the lead with a powerful drive on 27 minutes, with Riyad Mahrez adding a third and Raheem Sterling scoring his side's fourth later on to highlight the gulf in class between the two sides.
Manchester City's title hopes were helped when Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw away to Tottenham, who were playing their first game in two weeks due to the pandemic.
Harry Kane put Spurs ahead with a clinical finish in a thrilling game, but Diogo Jota leveled with a fine header from Andrew Robertson's cross in the 35th minute of a half filled with chances.
Robertson headed Liverpool ahead in the 70th minute, but Son Heung-min leveled just four minutes later after a strange error from Liverpool keeper Alisson.
Robertson was sent off in the 77th minute for a bad challenge on Spurs' right-back Emerson.
City are now six points clear of Chelsea, who were held 0-0 away to Wolves in a foggy Molineux Stadium, which left Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel frustrated that the game had gone ahead despite seven positives for Covid-19 in his squad.
"It's very hard to understand, we are concerned about the health of the players," said the German in his post-game TV interview.
Saturday's only surviving game saw Arsenal win 4-1 away to injury hit Leeds, who were without nine first team players for the game. Enditem
Liverpool's Andy Robertson (R) vies with Tottenham Hotspur's Oliver Skipp during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in London, Britain, on Dec. 19, 2021. (Xinhua)
Tottenham Hotspur's Emerson Royal (L) vies with Liverpool's Sadio Mane during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in London, Britain, on Dec. 19, 2021. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's Andy Robertson (R) celebrates scoring with teammates during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in London, Britain, on Dec. 19, 2021. (Xinhua)
Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas (L) vies with Tottenham Hotspur's Emerson Royal during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in London, Britain, on Dec. 19, 2021. (Xinhua)
