John Stones netted a 68th minute winner for champions-elect Manchester City, after West Ham United had pushed them with Michail Antonio (43’) equalising Ruben Dias’ 30th minute header.
City are now 13 points clear of second-placed Manchester United who make the trip to fifth-placed Chelsea on Sunday.
But City’s 20-game winning run is arguably more impressive, given the title race appears a fait accompli now, with attention turning to how long they can continue their streak.
The Sky Blues have three league home games coming up, against Wolverhampton then rivals United who’d love to end their run, followed by struggling Southampton.
“It is so difficult,” City boss Pep Guardiola said. “To have 20 wins in this period, I think this could be the greatest achievement we have done.
“It doesnt mean we have won the title of course, but in winter time in England, every three days a game, COVID-19 situation, injuries… winning, winning, winning shows strength, mentally.
“When you have a run of many, many victories, you have games like this. I remember against Brighton we suffered a lot for 20 minutes, Fulham as well.
“Every person who saw the game today knows it was really tough - the opponent is incredibly difficult.
“So a big compliment to West Ham - after 26 games they are in the Champions League positions and that is because of a lot of work.”
Elsewhere in the Premier League on Saturday, relegation battlers West Bromwich claimed a critical 1-0 win over Brighton, who missed two penalties.
Battling Newcastle could only manage a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton while midtable Aston Villa won 1-0 at Leeds United.