Manchester United put the brakes on Manchester City’s title charge and Newcastle all but secured another season of Premier League football during another eventful weekend.
Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at what we learned from the latest round of fixtures in England’s top flight.
1. Write off Paul Pogba at your peril
Video: Pogba reacts City v United
Scoring two goals ? Not letting City win ????Paul Labile Pogba’s thoughts on yesterday’s derby victory…
Posted by Manchester United on Sunday, April 8, 2018
2. Rafa knows what he is doing
Show must go on! ⚽?We are a TEAM ??? Thanks Toon Army for another amazing day far from home? #HowaytheLads ⚫⚪ pic.twitter.com/bnQEuFbJKx
— Ayoze Perez (@AyozePG) April 8, 2018
Even in the depths of a desperate run which saw his team collect just a single point from nine league games as 2017 drew to a close, Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez called for calm and insisted they would improve. Saturday’s 2-1 win at Leicester took the Magpies’ points tally since the turn of the year to 19 from a possible 33 with only Manchester City and Liverpool having beaten them on their way into the top 10.
3. Kane will claim anything
Another great away win. Definitely claiming that goal, flicked off my shoulder on the way in. Sure Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer will clear that one up on Match of the Day. ? #COYS #THFC #PremierLeague
Posted by Harry Kane on Saturday, April 7, 2018
4. The relegation race is going to the wire
5. The Champions League trumps derbies
? Your #LFC team for today’s derby…#EVELIV ? https://t.co/QquZcN8ZnT pic.twitter.com/zMJvJrYeYg
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 7, 2018
Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter-final, second leg showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool had a significant impact on their respective derby clashes on Saturday. Kevin De Bruyne was used only as a substitute in City’s 3-2 home defeat by Manchester United, while Liverpool’s free-scoring forward Mohamed Salah was not even included in the 18 as he nursed a groin problem with one eye very firmly on European glory.
