Now it's on for Manchester City to win the English Premier League in the earliest and sweetest way possible: Victory over Manchester United in next Saturday's derby will seal the trophy for Pep Guardiola's runway leader.
"I have lived in Manchester long enough to know what it means," City captain Vincent Kompany said after Saturday's 3-1 win at Everton. "It will be lively and spicy but I don't mind."
Not even Alex Ferguson managed to clinch any of his 13 titles for United by beating the neighbors. Even more incredibly, City can secure its third title since 2012 with six games to spare thanks to the Manchester rivals both winning on Saturday.
City then cruised at Goodison Park, with Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, and Raheem Sterling scoring inside the first 37 minutes and Everton settling for a second-half consolation from Yannick Bolasie.
"We are so, so close and so happy with the performance," said Guardiola, whose side is back on Merseyside in midweek to face Liverpool in the Champions League quarterfinals.
It is unlikely that West Bromwich Albion will still be in the league next season, remaining 10 points from safety in last place after losing to Burnley 2-1.
Southampton, which occupies the remaining relegation place, lost to West Ham 3-0.
Palace remained two points above the drop zone, a point below Huddersfield, which lost to Newcastle 1-0. Swansea, like Huddersfield, is only three points clear of the bottom three.
Leicester is chasing a Europa League spot, beating Brighton 2-0 to stay three points behind seventh-place Burnley.
The comfort of mid-table continued for Watford and Bournemouth after their 2-2 draw in the league.
CALM RESTORED
Unlike the turmoil three weeks ago at the Olympic Stadium — with pitch invasions and the West Ham owners threatened — the only protests came before facing Southampton.
Inside there was not just tranquility but joy rarely seen at the venue unloved by many Hammers supporters.
For good reason: West Ham was able to roll over Southampton with ease in Mark Hughes' first game in charge of the relegation-threatened south-coast club.
Marko Arnautovic's double after Joao Mario's opener ensured the three points were sealed before the break, taking West Ham five points clear of danger.