Manchester City now in Premier League's driving seat but Guardiola still cautious
Their 4-1 thrashing of the long-time leaders at The Etihad wrenched control of the race out of Arsenal's hands and put City firmly in control of their destiny.
But City boss Pep Guardiola is too long in the tooth to assume a fifth league title in six seasons is now a formality.
The reaction to City's victory in the so-called title decider was understandable. It was their seventh successive league win and left them two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand, having trailed by eight not long ago.
Victory for a relentless City at Fulham on Sunday will take them into the lead and, should they achieve that, it really will be their title to lose, especially with home games against struggling West Ham United and Leeds United up next.
But Guardiola urged caution.
"I have a feeling the next three games will dictate a lot," he said.
"Fulham have come from the Championship and this season have been amazing. We play at home against Leeds and West Ham. We feel comfortable here with the crowd."
"People are saying it is over - it is not. It will be over when it is over, but it is not over. We still have seven games, we have to (play) our game. Now we go to Fulham against an incredible team," Guardiola told reporters on Friday.
"We are in games where everyone is fighting for something... Fulham have a special stadium and an organised team. We will take nothing for granted.
"We're happy for the last game and the performance but that is all. It's not over."
Kevin De Bruyne's performance stood out against Arsenal, with two goals and an assist, and Guardiola praised the Belgian midfielder, saying he is an "exceptional player" with high standards despite his longevity in the game.
De Bruyne was denied a hat-trick when he was substituted in the second half and Guardiola said he needed to be looked after amid a hectic schedule.
"We cannot demand every single player during a period of 10 years with a game every three days, 11 months in a row, rest three weeks and come back for pre-season... to be on the up all the time," Guardiola said.
"So sometimes sitting and not playing is good. It's not to punish him, sometimes you have to realise and refresh your mind. His standards are so, so high and you'll have an opportunity to show how happy you are playing football."
Guardiola said Dutch defender Nathan Ake is improving after picking up a hamstring injury against Bayern Munich but is yet to return to team training.
After their mauling at City, Arsenal have the weekend off to lick their wounds and regroup after their home clash with Chelsea was shunted to Tuesday on police advice.
But there is no respite for the teams battling at the other end of the table to avoid being relegated.
SORRY SAINTS SINKING
Time appears to be running out for bottom club Southampton after their defeat by Bournemouth on Thursday left them six points from the safety zone with five games left.
Southampton go to third-placed Newcastle United on Sunday to face a side that has scored 10 goals in two games and appear on the cusp of a return to the Champions League.
The two clubs immediately above Saints, Everton and Leicester City meet on Monday in a true 'six-pointer'.
Nottingham Forest climbed out of the drop zone with a priceless victory against Brighton on Wednesday and victory at Brentford on Saturday would put even more pressure on Everton and Leicester.
Leeds, who are above Forest on goal difference, travel to almost-safe Bournemouth on Sunday.
With Fulham comfortable in 10th place and Bournemouth and Forest on course for survival, it could be only the fourth time in Premier League history that all three teams promoted from the Championship avoid relegation in their first season up.
The last time that happened was in 2017/18 when Newcastle, Brighton and Huddersfield all stayed up.
Tottenham Hotspur's chances of a top-four finish are almost over though they did show some fight to draw 2-2 with fourth-placed Manchester United on Thursday in Ryan Mason's first game in interim charge, four days after a 6-1 drubbing at Newcastle.
Spurs in fifth go to Liverpool, who are seventh, on Sunday in a match that could go a long way to decide which of the two clubs can salvage a Europa League qualification spot.
Tottenham have 54 points, the same as sixth-placed Aston Villa, with Liverpool on 53 having played a game less.
Liverpool are seeking a fourth successive win and, belatedly, have joined the Premier League party.
"This season taught us lessons that I didn't want to learn but the most important lesson in football is getting the three points at the weekend or midweek," manager Jurgen Klopp said.
