Ten-man Manchester City went three points clear at the top of the Premier League on Tuesday after goals from Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and James Milner set up a 3-0 victory over Liverpool.
Liverpool -- missing striker Luis Suarez after the club confirmed they would not appeal his eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra -- were always struggling after City struck twice in the first half at Eastlands.
City, who had suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Sunderland on Monday, opened the scoring on 10 minutes when Argentine star Aguero unleashed a speculative dipping effort towards the Liverpool goal.
Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina appeared to have the shot covered but somehow allowed the ball to skid under him to give City a 1-0 lead.
City doubled their tally on 33 minutes, when Toure met a David Silva corner with a powerful glancing header which flew past Reina.
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish attempted to revive his side's fortunes in the second half after introducing Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy from the bench, but it was to no avail as City maintained their grip on the contest.
City had Gareth Barry sent off for a second bookable offence on 73 minutes but the setback was only temporary as City made it 3-0 with Milner's well-taken penalty after Martin Skrtel brought down Toure.
The victory saw Roberto Mancini's City go three points of clear of second placed Manchester United, who play Newcastle at St James Park on Wednesday.
In Tuesday's other games, third-placed Tottenham downed West Bromwich Albion 1-0 while Sunderland's Martin O'Neill-inspired revolution saw the Black Cats register yet another victory with a 4-1 win at Wigan.
West Brom managed to frustrate Spurs for long periods at White Hart Lane before the deadlock was finally broken on 63 minutes by Jermain Defoe.
Rafael van der Vaart released Gareth Bale on the left flank and the Welsh winger's cross was met by Defoe who evaded the attention of several Baggies defenders to score.
The result left Tottenham in third, six points adrift of leaders City, and three behind second-placed Manchester United.
At the DW Stadium, Craig Gardner's superb free-kick in first half injury time set Sunderland on the path to their fourth win in six games since O'Neill took over in December following the dismissal of Steve Bruce.
Northern Ireland Under-21 international James McClean added a second on 55 minutes to seal a win which lifted Sunderland to 10th in the standings.
Wigan pulled a goal back through Hugo Rodallega to give the Latics hope but Sunderland's third from Stephane Sessegnon on 73 minutes snuffed out any chance of a fightback from the home side before David Vaughan added a fourth.
Source: AFP
