Sports Desk:

Manchester City’s Premier League revival gathered pace after beating Chelsea 3-1 moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to fourth in the standings on Saturday.

The four-time defending champion remains 12 points behind leader Liverpool, but its unbeaten run in the league extended to six games after a stunning run of defeats at the end of last year.

Still, City had to come from behind at Etihad Stadium after a mistake from debutant Abdukodir Khusanov allowed Chelsea to go ahead inside three minutes.

“Three points. We needed it,” Guardiola said after City fought back through goals by Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. “Emotionally, they come back incredibly well.”

Liverpool kept up its charge towards the title by thrashing Ipswich 4-1 and staying six points clear.

Arsenal was second after winning at Wolverhampton 1-0, but third-placed Nottingham Forest was stunned by Bournemouth 5-0 on the south coast.

Fifth-placed Newcastle came back from a goal down to beat Southampton 3-1, with Alexander Isak scoring twice.

A record-extending fifth title looks beyond City but there are positive signs for Guardiola after the midseason collapse.

One win in 13 games, including nine losses from October to December, plunged City down the table in the league and the Champions League.

But victory against Chelsea lifted City back into the top four, even after a woeful start when Khusanov’s weak header allowed Noni Madueke to open the scoring.