Fernandinho says Man City's win over Liverpool was pivotal to title race as he warns of tough Burnley test

Fernandinho claims Manchester City’s dramatic win against Liverpool in January will prove decisive in the title race.

The Premier League champions avoided falling 10 points adrift of Jurgen Klopp’s side with a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium.

Now, with three games to go until the end of the season, they sit a point clear of their rivals, with the title race in their own hands.

Liverpool missed other opportunities to open up a gap on City when drawing with Leicester and West Ham in successive games, but Fernandinho reckons it was the head-to-head that will prove the difference.

“If you look back to January, they could have been 10 points clear after our game,” said the Brazilian. “We didn't want that. We reduced the gap to four points and now we are one point up.

“That is the way the Premier League is going to be decided and I hope we can do our job and win those three games, and be champions again.”

City took a major step towards their second successive title with a 2-0 win against Manchester United on Wednesday.

Liverpool have the chance to move back to the top with victory against Huddersfield on Friday, before City travel to Burnley on Sunday.

Fernandinho added: “Now we have three games to play, three finals, and we want to try to win those games.

“Burnley are always difficult. They have a specific way to play and it is not easy to go there.

“They drew with Chelsea last Monday. It is always tough to go there.

“We have to recover as soon as possible and try to be fit and be ready. It is going to be a very important, very difficult game for us.”