Man City seized the initiative in the Premier League title race with a statement 3-0 win at Chelsea, piling more pressure on leaders Arsenal and Blues boss Liam Rosenior.
Arsenal were wracked with nerves in Saturday's defeat to Bournemouth, which opened the door for Pep Guardiola's side. City, in contrast, turned it on in the second half at Stamford Bridge to power into an ominous position ahead of the top two's title showdown live on Your Site next Sunday.
One side was overwhelmed by the pressure this weekend; the other thrived in the big moment.
It is still in Arsenal's hands. But it's also in City's. They trail the Gunners by six points but have a game in hand as well as that opportunity to beat their rivals at the Etihad.
"Are you watching, Arsenal?" goaded the jubilant travelling City fans. They have seen their side overhaul the north Londoners before but this would be the most incredible of turnarounds if Guardiola and City pulled it off.
Rayan Cherki's brilliance sums up the contrast in where the two sides are at right now. While Arsenal's open-play attack lacks inspiration, the City No 10 is pulling defences apart.
His inviting cross was converted by Nico O'Reilly six minutes into the second half. The teen is making a habit of scoring big headed goals after his double in the Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal, although the sight of him later limping off was one negative for City.
Cherki was at it again six minutes after the opener, dribbling across the Chelsea box before prodding the ball into Marc Guehi, who finished like a centre forward.
The Frenchman then helped Jeremy Doku bundle the ball off Moises Caicedo for the winger to add a third. A big hug from Guardiola when Cherki was subbed off with the game won was well deserved.
City's win was made all the more impressive by what this match meant to Chelsea and their top-five challenge. Expect Rosenior to be scrutinised. His side now languish four points off Liverpool in that final Champions League qualifying spot. They've lost their last three in the league.
There were even self-mocking 'Oles' from the Chelsea fans as the home team passed the ball in the final moments. Inevitably, there were boos at full-time too.
Chelsea had looked threatening in the first half, with Marc Cucurella's strike ruled out for offside and the lively Pedro Neto testing Gianluigi Donnarumma before Robert Sanchez saved a Bernardo Silva warning shot at the other end.
But when City went through the gears in the second half, Chelsea were blown away. The gap between the teams was stark. The gap between City and Arsenal is now far closer.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior to Your Site:
"Not good enough in the second half. We didn't start the half well, we had moments to clear the box and didn't. We had the moment to keep the ball and didn't. They were camped in our half for the first five minutes, where we concede a goal. Great cross and great header.
"Then it's a similar story for the past month now in terms of dealing with setbacks. When you go a goal down against a team as good as this, what you have to do for the next five minutes is stay in the game.
"Before you know it, it's 2-0 and it becomes a difficult half against an outstanding team. We want to chase the game but you know if you do, with the players they have and the way they play, you have to keep the ball. It ended up being a difficult second half."
Man City boss Pep Guardiola to Your Site:
"I was happy. Winning away in a Premier League ground like Stamford Bridge, the fans are happy. We are happier.
"Second half was a thousand times much better. It was not bad the first half, but some players were not as they were meant to be.
"The past is something unique. But we are growing. We have long weeks now, being out of the Champions League. We are more fresh, training everybody, people understand more what to do. That's the reality.
"Three opponents, three Champions League and not for 90 minutes, but we were solid enough not to concede much."
