Manchester City revived their faint title hopes with an attacking masterclass against West Ham United, inflicting a bruising 4-0 defeat on their beleaguered opponents at the London Stadium.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The days other two games ended in draws with Manchester United finishing nil-all and Everton and Stoke 1-all.
City were rampant in a one-sided first half as Kevin De Bruyne finished off a swift counter-attack to put them ahead after 17 minutes and David Silva doubled the lead from close range after good work from Leroy Sane.
There was more misery for West Ham when City's January signing Gabriel Jesus scored his first goal for the club, side-footing in Raheem Sterling's pass six minutes before the break, and Yaya Toure slammed home from the spot in the second half.
City, who had lost their previous two away games, stayed fifth in the table on 46 points, behind Liverpool on goal difference and 10 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
Manchester United lost ground on the leading teams after being held to a goalless draw by bottom club Hull City on Wednesday.
Hull had goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic to thank for their point as they continued their revival under new manager Marco Silva and climbed off the bottom, to be replaced by Sunderland.
United stay sixth.
Peter Crouch became the 26th player to score a century of goals in the Premier League as his Stoke City side drew 1-1 with Everton.
The former England striker put the home team ahead after seven minutes, side-footing Marko Arnautovic's cross beyond Joel Robles, two days after his 36th birthday, making him the oldest player to reach the landmark.
Everton are seventh on the table and Stoke ninth.
-Reuters
