Sergio Aguero struck as Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League with a battling 1-0 win over Burnley.
The Argentine’s 63rd minute shot hit Matthew Lowton and spun back over the line.
An inch or so, but it was enough as referee Paul Tierney used to the goalline system to confirm a goal.
It meant Aguero has now scored 20 Premier League goals in six different seasons, emulating Alan Shearer.
Ben Mee then denied Gabriel Jesus with a brilliant last-ditch block on the line after the Brazilian had cleverly worked an opening.
There was relief for City as they had struggled to find a way past Tom Heaton until then.
In a frantic spell of action at the start of the second half, he pushed away an Aguero effort before thwarting Bernardo Silva’s fierce shot.
City need to be careful, not careless to clinch title
Titles are often decided by fine margins. Given how close this battle between City and Liverpool has been, it will be no surprise if it comes down to a matter of millimetres, 29 to be precise. How much the ball crossed the line from Sergio Aguero’s shot before it was cleared off the line by Matt Lowton.
It was a massive moment in a championship race that should go down to the final day.
The drama that unfolded was similar to Old Trafford in midweek when City got past neighbours Manchester United.
A nervy approach blighted their first-half display before they grew in confidence and became dominant despite Burnley’s defiance.
Their game management was spot-on in the end with Pep Guardiola sending on defenders to close out for a 12th straight win, but this should be a warning to City.
They next face a vibrant Leicester side who trounced top-four chasing Arsenal before visiting Brighton in their final game. Neither will be easy.
And they cannot afford to be careless, nor complacent.
They wasted chances and possession with Oleks Zinchenko particularly slack on the left side and fortunate not to be punished by a Burnley side with bags of spirit, but lacking in attacking endeavour and not testing Ederson.
Kompany a commanding presence
The name of City skipper Vincent Kompany in the starting line up provided a bit of a surprise.
Given his injury issues and fitness management, it is always deemed a risk to start him in three games over a week.
He last did it just over a year ago when he appeared in games against Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United.
They were crucial too as City looked to confirm the Premier League title and gain advantage over the Reds in their Champions League tie.
It is why Guardiola, over the past week, has turned to him against Spurs, United and now Burnley. For the big occasions you need your big man at the back.
He barely gave Ashley Barnes a kick and was a major factor in why Ederson didn’t have a save to make.
Talks are ongoing about Kompany’s future at the club. There is little doubt he will stay in some capacity. He may not feature in every game and Aymeric Laporte and John Stones should be the centre-back pairing for the long term, but on the evidence of recent weeks, Kompany, 33, has to be kept on in a playing capacity.
Early on he clambered over Barnes to win an aerial ball. He takes no prisoners, is undaunted by any forward.
He used his head, in more ways than one with a timely intervention to block a Jack Cork pass while there were cries of penalty.
In many ways, Kompany is an old-fashioned defender and, with his strengths, he would have stood out in any era of English football. Courageous, committed and with a touch of class.
Injuries have probably prevented him from being a world great, but he will stand amongst the Premier League’s finest. A leader, a legend.
Sane the enigma
With his match-changing display against Manchester United in midweek, Leroy Sane was rewarded with a start at Turf Moor.
But it was a game which summed up the frustration over the German’s contributions in this campaign.
Sometimes spectacular, sometimes not.
When he sent a weak effort at Tom Heaton after one promising build up in the first half, Guardiola threw his hands out in despair. He was not alone.
It lacked imagination and the inventiveness for which Sane is considered a special player.
Why he is likely to make you pull your hair out as much as get you off your seat.
Bawling at Zinchenko for a heavy pass, when he did not even make an attempt to chase it, was petulant and not what you want to see.
One gripe of Sane has been the lack of defensive nous and losing the ball too easily.
It is why Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva are often preferred in the wide roles. Their ability to hold up the ball under pressure and track back to aid their defence is integral to City’s tactics and success.
Sane lasted just over an hour before being replaced.
There have been some brilliant wingers in the Premier League over the years, but Sane has to ensure he is more like a Ryan Giggs than a David Ginola.
