Manchester City restored their three-point lead at the top of the Premier League and extended their winning streak to 13 games with a comfortable victory at Burnley.
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring after a mistake from Burnley keeper Nick Pope and Raheem Sterling grabbed the second before half-time.
Riyad Mahrez, who scored a hat-trick in November's reverse fixture, had a goal disallowed for offside, while Burnley did not manage a shot on target and only had two efforts all night.
After a spluttering start to the season that threatened to derail their title hopes, City, who have a game in hand on second placed United, are in pole position to dethrone champions Liverpool.
They head into Sunday's crucial clash at Anfield in superb form. Arsenal were the last English top-flight side to win 13 consecutive games in all competitions in 2002.
With Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne still sidelined by injuries, City's surge to the top is even more remarkable.
Last crowned champions in 2019, they are unbeaten in 20 matches in all competitions stretching back to November and have conceded just four goals during that run.
It is City's miserly defence that has been the key to their resurgence following the signing of Ruben Dias from Benfica.
Their latest rock-solid effort at the back equalled the club league record of six consecutive clean-sheets.
Burnley are 16th after a second successive defeat, but they remain eight points above the relegation zone.
Sterling said: "It's good to get another win and keep a clean sheet. We've been on a good run and we need to continue that.
"It's always good to get the first goal as quick as possible then you can work your way into the game.
"We know exactly what Burnley will bring to the game, physical, second balls and challenges, getting the ball into our box.
"It was a great ball from Ilkay Gundogan and I just had to be there to put it in.
"Togetherness [is what the run is down to]. It's about grinding results out week by week. The more you win, the better you feel."
