Stoke City 0-2 Manchester City
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David Silva has scored eight goals in the Premier League this season
Captain Vincent Kompany says Manchester City have "a once in a lifetime opportunity" to win the title against rivals Manchester United after they restored their 16-point lead at the top of the table with victory at Stoke.
David Silva scored both goals at the relegation-threatened Potters to ensure the Blues can clinch the title at home to United on 7 April [17:30 GMT] if they beat Everton first.
"Everybody in the blue side of Manchester knows it's a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Kompany. "But steady, it won't be handed to us."
Manager Pep Guardiola took a different approach, acknowledging his side would be champions "sooner or later" but playing down the significance of sealing matters in a derby game.
"Now we are two or three games away from being champions," said Guardiola, adding it "doesn't matter when we win it".
Silva slotted in Raheem Sterling's cross to give Manchester City an early lead over Stoke before finishing off a slick passing move after the break.
Sterling later pounced on a loose touch following a controversial drop-ball and raced through towards goal but Badou Ndiaye recovered to get a crucial touch just as the England winger prepared to shoot.
Fernandinho and Leroy Sane both came close for Manchester City as they sought to extend their lead, while Stoke's Bruno Martins Indi also fired over the bar from close range.
The hosts had moments of hope in the first half - Ndiaye's scuffed effort bounced narrowly wide and Kyle Walker's deflection forced a save from Ederson.
But they remain in the relegation zone after failing to pick up a win in six matches and still one point adrift of safety.
Having thrashed Stoke 7-2 in October, this is the first time Manchester City have done the double over the Potters since the 1998-99 season, when both clubs were in the third tier.
No luck for Stoke in relegation fight
Stoke have only won one game in 2018
It was another disappointing evening for Stoke as they extended their run of games without a win to six - although most observers probably did not expect them to take any points from Guardiola's runaway leaders.
Stoke struggled to make an impact against the visitors and were on the back foot from the off thanks to Silva's early goal.
"Momentum is with us," Lambert said after last week's draw with Southampton but it was not in evidence here.
There were moments of good play - most notably Ndiaye's effort in the first half after a sweet nutmeg from Xherdan Shaqiri - but it ultimately looked the David and Goliath contest that respective league positions suggested.
The Potters have eight games remaining to find the points they need to extend their 10-year stay in the top flight but their upcoming fixtures are not favourable.
A trip to the Emirates to take on Arsenal looms and is followed by another tough game against Liverpool at Anfield next month.
Stoke also entertain Tottenham before ending the season against relegation rivals Crystal Palace and Swansea - two games which could prove pivotal to their survival.
The Potters have picked up just one win in 2018 but, with the bottom half of the table changing on a weekly basis, one game could make all the difference.
Title in touching distance for Manchester City
A routine victory for Manchester City brought another three points that only tighten their grip on the Premier League trophy.
Just two more wins are all that are needed and if City can overcome Everton at Goodison Park later this month, they could seal the title on derby day with a win over rivals Manchester United.
Guardiola's side bounced back from a surprise 2-1 second-leg defeat by Basel in the Champions League on Wednesday and with the league as good as wrapped up, they can focus all their energies on that competition.
Nothing but an away win looked in prospect once Silva gave them an early lead and their only disappointment will be that they could not convert further chances.
It was also a good opportunity for Gabriel Jesus and Sterling to regain their fitness following recent returns from injury.
All in all, it was a sound day at the office and Guardiola's men already had their bags packed for a trip to Abu Dhabi as they enjoy three weeks off.
'It doesn't matter where we win it' - What the managers said
Guardiola 'so happy' with Man City performance
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: "We are very close now. We have 81 points, which is a lot! We had a solid performance; we controlled the game and conceded no chances.
"David Silva controls the tempo. He has the skills no doubt about that but in the bad moments he is there to control the game and he is an aggressive competitor.
"To be champions is tough, it's complicated. Our club does not have a history of a lot of titles. As soon as possible will be better but it doesn't matter where we win it.
"I understand that it is important to our fans to win it against United but the target is the next game at Everton. After that, if we play like today sooner or later we will be champions."
Stoke manager Paul Lambert: "They are as good a team as I've seen in a long time. They have gone to another level. But credit to my team, they never capitulated.
Lambert 'delighted' by Stoke spirit
"Defensively we got caught for the goals but they never carved us up like they have with other teams. This game was never going to define our season. We had odd moments but you have to take your chances.
"The way they play is terrific, you don't really see it until you get close up, it's so difficult to stop. I won't criticise my team, we stuck at it."
Jesus a lucky charm - the best of the stats
Manchester City have won 81 points from their 30 Premier League games this season - three more than they earned in the entirety of 2016-17.
The Blues have now scored 85 Premier League goals this season - only 11 teams have ever scored more in a completed Premier League campaign.
David Silva has scored eight Premier League goals this season, his second highest tally in a single campaign in the competition (12 in 2014-15).
Silva also bagged his second league double of the campaign - he had only scored three in his previous seven Premier League seasons combined.
Only Jonas Lossl (50) has conceded more Premier League goals among goalkeepers than Stoke's Jack Butland (49) this season.
Gabriel Jesus has played 31 Premier League games without ever being on the losing side (W26 D5). It's the fourth longest run without defeat from a Premier League debut, after Jens Lehmann (47), Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba (37 each).
Man of the match - David Silva (Manchester City)
Silva scored both of his shots on target and made three key passes during the game - only Kevin de Bruyne made more (six)
Silva on how his form is so good despite the premature birth of his son: "I don't know! When I play football I forget about everything else, it is good for me to play.
"My private life is very hard for me but my son is fighting and getting better."
What's next?
Stoke host Everton next Saturday (15:00 GMT) before enjoying a two-week break. Manchester City's next opponents are also Everton but not until Saturday, 31 March (17:30 GMT) at Goodison Park.