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After a season dominated by long throws, set-piece wrestling and rigid, overly controlled football, all of a sudden the overwhelming artistry and firepower at Manchester City’s disposal is threatening to take over when it matters most.

This game was taken away from Chelsea during a blistering spell of attacking at the start of the second half and, by the end, it was impossible not to feel the same applied to the title race. Strike up the Jaws music – Pep Guardiola’s sharks are circling. There was blood in the water after Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth and, after meandering through a tepid first half, City eventually found their bite at Stamford Bridge.

There were no favours for Arsenal from Liam Rosenior’s callow Chelsea. City did not look back after taking control with another vital goalscoring contribution from Nico O’Reilly, increasingly Guardiola’s man for the big occasion, and a thrilling spell from Rayan Cherki. The Frenchman was instrumental in this 3-0 win, tormenting Chelsea with his quick footwork and eye for a pass. Cherki, who has now collected 10 assists in his first season in the Premier League, laid on goals for O’Reilly and Marc Guéhi as City moved six points off Arsenal with a game in hand. The sides, of course, meet at the Etihad Stadium next. The gap is being chiselled away.

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