The former Sheffield United and Birmingham striker pounced after 16 minutes, when Oleksandr Zinchenko lost possession near the halfway line, and launched a stunning lob over Ederson from around 35 yards out.

It was Adams’ first goal for Saints in 29 appearances, and his first since scoring for Birmingham against Leeds in April last year.

City launched wave after wave of attacks looking for an equaliser, but Gabriel Jesus, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne squandered their best chances.

Goals from Sadio Mane and Curtis Jones set new champions Liverpool back to winning ways and deepened Aston Villa’s relegation fears.

In the 71st minute Trent Alexander-Arnold drilled a low diagonal ball into the feet of Naby Keita, who was given time to turn and cross for Mane to smash home off the underside of the crossbar from close range.

Academy graduate Jones celebrated signing a new five-year contract less than 24 hours earlier by tucking away Mohamed Salah’s headed knockdown in front of the empty Kop to seal a 2-0 victory.

Jonjo Shelvey denied West Ham a crucial victory in their fight for survival as Newcastle twice came from behind to snatch a point.

The Hammers, who boosted their hopes with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Chelsea in midweek, led 1-0 and 2-1 at St James’ Park, but eventually emerged with only a point to show for their efforts in a 2-2 draw.

Michail Antonio’s fourth-minute strike was cancelled out by Miguel Almiron, and 90 seconds after Tomas Soucek put West Ham ahead again, Shelvey equalised to stretch Newcastle’s unbeaten league run to six games.

John Egan’s first Premier League goal earned Sheffield United a point in a 1-1 draw at fellow European hopefuls Burnley.

Egan’s volley 10 minutes from time cancelled out a first-half strike from Burnley’s stand-in skipper James Tarkowski.

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