David Hytner at the Etihad Stadium

The margins were always likely to be tight. In the event, with so much on the line, namely the possible destination of the Premier League title, they were excruciatingly so. It was a day when the division’s heavyweights went toe-to-toe and served up a thriller, a contest to absorb the nation and many more around the world; to wildly exceed expectations. When it was over, it was Manchester City who had landed what could prove to be the telling blow. Because once they are ahead on the count in these kind of situations everybody knows how it tends to end. There is no better finisher than Pep Guardiola and the momentum is now with him. A seventh championship in 10 seasons is within the City manager’s grasp.