Manchester City consolidated their position at the top of the league with a win on Sunday.
The side bounced back from their exit from the European competition with a dominant display, going ahead by two in the first half before Rodri, Phil Foden and Sterling added three more goals after the break.
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After title rivals were held to a draw against Spurs on Saturday, City only need seven points from their final three games to win the title.
The goal difference between us and the other team can happen. It was important for us to win.
It was a perfect day. Some people don't know the team. Three points, nine points to play for and four ahead on goal difference. Another final on Wednesday.
Chris Wood, who only had Ederson to beat, nodded the ball straight into the goalkeeper after Allan Saint-Maximin whipped a cross into the box.
City came close twice through Laporte and Joao Cancelo before the England forward opened the scoring on 19 minutes when he nodded in from close range.
Five minutes later, Wood bundled the ball over the line from a Lascelles headed, but the ball hit a Bruno Guimaraes in the process.
Gundogan fired a shot at goal from the edge of the penalty area after Kevin de Bruyne's deep corner. Laporte jumped onto the rebound and smashed it home from close range after Martin Dubravka couldn't hold onto the ball.
The hosts continued to dominate in the second half and were rewarded on 61 minutes when Rodri headed in from a De Brunye corner.
Eddie Howe has lost all 10 of his meetings against the Spaniard.
We can't be too negative about it. Howe said that it was a way to come back next season stronger.
The rise of the 13th place team from 13th to 13th with 43 points is incredible, and they are already looking to strengthen in the summer.
The future is bright for the club if we can be smart with what we do in the summer and keep the spirit we have in the squad. The aim when we came in was to stay in the league.
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