Manchester City will be top of the Premier League table on Christmas Day, no matter what happens when Liverpool take on Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.
Pep Guardiola's side were comfortable winners at St James' Park today, cruising to a four-goal victory courtesy of strikes from Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling
But things could well have ended differently for the Sky Blues.
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Towards the end of the first-half, with City leading 2-0, Eddie Howe's side were denied what looked to be a clear penalty as Ederson brought down Ryan Fraser inside the area as Cancelo attempted to clear the ball.
Referee Martin Atkinson decided against awarding a spot-kick, meanwhile VAR did not complete a check of the incident.
Had the hosts managed to pull one goal back at this stage, the contest could well have turned on its head and would have put City under increased pressure heading into the second-half.
Liverpool supporters certainly spotted the incident in the match and could not believe that Guardiola's side managed to escape punishment for Ederson's controversial challenge.
The Sky Blues took control of the game after the break, adding further goals from Mahrez and Sterling to remain at the top of the table.
Jurgen Klopp's side will move back to within one point of City should they earn three points against Tottenham Hotspur.
