Manchester City missed a golden opportunity last week to put themselves 16 points ahead of Liverpool, instead succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at Anfield that gave their biggest title rivals renewed hope after a ropey start.
It was another frustrating evening on the red side of Stanley Park for City. But Pep Guardiola's side have won four of the last five Premier League titles not because they always turn it on in the biggest games but because they turn up to play against every single opponent more consistently than anyone else can.
Less than a week later, the lead is in double figures again (with a game in hand for City) after the Blues followed Liverpool's lunchtime defeat at lowly Nottingham Forest with the sort of routine win over Brighton that title challenges are built on. It may not be a surprise anymore but it is still notable that Guardiola's side cannot be kept down for long.
