With a 3-0 victory at Everton, Ilkay Gundogan helped Manchester City inch closer to winning the Premier League for the sixth time in six years.
A maximum of three more points from their remaining three games, the first of which is at home against Chelsea next Sunday, will secure the trophy once more as a result of their triumph on Merseyside and Arsenal's 3-0 home loss to Brighton.
In fact, Pep Guardiola's team might win the title on Saturday night if the Gunners lose at Nottingham Forest. Even a draw at the City Ground, following an easy afternoon at Goodison Park, would virtually put an end to the competition because of City's superior goal difference.
With a wonderfully completed over-the-shoulder volley and a stunning curling free-kick, Gundogan increased his total to four in two games.
In the meanwhile, Erling Haaland scored his nearly necessary goal to bring the season total to 52; the record of 63 held by former Everton center-forward Dixie Dean is still attainable.
However, Arsenal was unable to follow suit as Brighton shocked Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium with goals from Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav, and Pervis Estupinan in the second half. Mikel Arteta, Brighton's manager, had acknowledged before the game that it was a must-win situation.
Enciso's 51st-minute header gave the visitors the lead after a closely contested first half. As the hosts desperately tried to get back into the game, the visitors, who are also on the verge of making it to Europe for the first time, picked off the hosts, first with Undav and then with Estupinan.
After Brentford cruised to a 2-0 victory, goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa insured that West Ham is still not mathematically certain of their place in the top tier for the upcoming season.
David Moyes made nine changes for the second leg of the Europa Conference League semi-final against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night, but his team lost to a Bees lineup without 20-goal striker Ivan Toney due to injury.
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