Manchester City defeated Brighton 4-0 and sent a sinister message for the Premier League title to their rivals.
He reigning champions He started the day in third position and with the need to respond to Arsenal's 5-0 win over Chelsea At the beginning of the week.
Liverpool Defeat to Merseyside rivals Everton on Wednesday meant City would leapfrog them if they beat Brighton, and they took full advantage of their opportunity at the Amex Stadium.
City scored three times in the first 34 minutes to put the game to bed, and Phil Foden scored twice to take his top-flight tally to 16 this season.
Pep Guardiola's team is now second, two points above Liverpool, with only one point difference and Arsenal with a game in hand.
Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring after 17 minutes with a looping header into the top corner following a lofted cross from Kyle Walker.
City's lead was doubled thanks to a deflected free-kick by Foden, who quickly scored his second with a low shot past Jason Steele.
Walker turned provider once again just after the hour when he found Julián Álvarez inside the box for a simple close-range finish.
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It was a performance that demonstrated once again why City are the heavy favorites for this season's title despite not being top of the league.
Arsenal pushed them to the end last season and it looks like they will do so again this time in the final weeks of the campaign.
Liverpool are still in contention, but there is a general belief that their defeat to Everton on Wednesday night ended their chances.
If City win their remaining game and return to the top, they will be in the driving seat to claim a record fourth consecutive title.
They also still have an FA Cup final to play in, but it won't be until the end of May, so it shouldn't hamper their league ambitions.
A trip to Nottingham Forest is what awaits them on their way to making Premier League history run in matches against Wolves, Fulham and Tottenham.
City will then host West Ham on the final day of the season, with the title likely to be decided amid their ongoing battle against Arsenal and Liverpool.
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City manager Guardiola said Liverpool's surprise derby defeat to Everton had served as a warning to his players ahead of the rout at Brighton.
“I told the players that what happened to Liverpool can happen to us and it can happen to Arsenal,” said the Spaniard.
“People didn't expect them to lose against Crystal Palace yesterday, but it can happen to us, it's football.
“Everton are playing to avoid the relegation zone and we have a similar game at Nottingham Forest (on Sunday) and they are playing for their lives.
“Perhaps because they were a real rival of ours for many years, my appreciation for Liverpool is greater than ever.
“Still (the title) is there (for Liverpool) because I know the character of their team. They are going to fight until the end and we have to do it too.”
