Kevin de Bruyne scored a brilliant second half goal to give Manchester City a 1-0 win over Chelsea and a 13-point lead over their closest rivals in the Premier League.
The Belgian midfielder collected a pass from Joo Cancillo in his own half, went ahead, and found the bottom corner with a specialist placed shot from outside the field to settle Saturday's lunchtime clash at the Etihad.
This gave City their 12th consecutive win on their relentless campaign towards a sixth title in 11 years, with third-placed Liverpool now the team's best chance to hold on to Pep Guardiola's side.
But Jurgen Klopp's men are now 14 points behind, with two games in hand.
It would also have given de Bruyne a certain sense of personal satisfaction, given the pain he suffered as a former Chelsea player and the head injury he suffered when he lost to the same opponents in the Champions League final last season.
City dominated most of the intense game, preventing second-placed Chelsea from taking a shot in the first half and seeing Jack Grealish squander his best opportunity before halftime when his shot was spread by goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. The foot was retracted.
Romelu Lukaku had the best chance for Chelsea at the start of the second half, but Ederson saved the striker's curling shot after it was played.
Otherwise, City's press and ball control sent the visitors back to their own half as they deserved to take points.