Manchester City opened up a three-point gap at the top of the Premier League table by cruising to a convincing win over sixth placed Liverpool.
City bounced back quickly from their New Year’s Day defeat at the hands of Sunderland, while this result snapped a five game unbeaten streak for the Reds.
Liverpool started without the suspended Luis Suarez, but had the first chance to score when winger Stewart Downing was denied by a Joe Hart save.
Hart’s exploits were not matched by Pepe Reina at the other end, and the Spanish goalkeeper gifted City a 10th minute lead when he allowed Sergio Aguero’s long distance shot to slip underneath his body.
City carried the play after Aguero’s strike, and almost doubled their lead when Edin Dzeko’s shot was deflected wide of the goalpost.
The Citizens did take a 2-0 lead after 33 minutes when Yaya Toure headed past Reina after being set up by David Silva.
The physical presence of Liverpool striker Andy Carroll created a chance for the Reds to halve the deficit just before the break, but Vincent Kompany smothered Dirk Kuyt’s effort.
Liverpool had the better of possession after the restart without creating any clear cut scoring chances. The Reds gained a man advantage in the 73rd minute when City midfielder Gareth Barry was dismissed for a second yellow card.
Any confidence Liverpool got from City going a man down lasted only two minutes, as the home team were awarded a penalty when Yaya Toure was clumsily fouled by Martin Skrtel. James Milner stepped up and blasted the spot kick past Reina to give City a 3-0 lead.
Adam Johnson went close to adding a fourth goal, but his effort came back off the goalpost.
Liverpool battled gamely to the end, but Hart saved from Steven Gerrard and Downing to seal a convincing win for City.
City manager Roberto Mancini was pleased with the result, but also acknowledged that the Citizens face a “big month” in January without Yaya Toure. The Ivory Coast midfielder was outstanding against Liverpool, and will now go away to play in the African Cup of Nations.
“He is a very important player,” Mancini told BBC Sport. “I have tried to find another Yaya in my squad but there isn’t another Yaya.”
LINEUPS
MAN – Hart, Richards, Kompany, Clichy, K Toure, Milner, Barry, Silva (Lescott 76), Y Toure, Dzeko, Aguero (Johnson 71).
LIV – Reina, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Henderson, Downing, Spearing (Maxi 76), Adam (Gerrard 57), Carroll, Kuyt (Bellamy 57).
SCORING SUMMARY
MAN – Sergio Aguero (David Silva) 10’
MAN – Yaya Toure (David Silva) 33’
MAN – James Milner (penalty kick) 75’
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Attendance: 47,131
Liverpool started without the suspended Luis Suarez, but had the first chance to score when winger Stewart Downing was denied by a Joe Hart save.
Hart’s exploits were not matched by Pepe Reina at the other end, and the Spanish goalkeeper gifted City a 10th minute lead when he allowed Sergio Aguero’s long distance shot to slip underneath his body.
City carried the play after Aguero’s strike, and almost doubled their lead when Edin Dzeko’s shot was deflected wide of the goalpost.
The Citizens did take a 2-0 lead after 33 minutes when Yaya Toure headed past Reina after being set up by David Silva.
The physical presence of Liverpool striker Andy Carroll created a chance for the Reds to halve the deficit just before the break, but Vincent Kompany smothered Dirk Kuyt’s effort.
Liverpool had the better of possession after the restart without creating any clear cut scoring chances. The Reds gained a man advantage in the 73rd minute when City midfielder Gareth Barry was dismissed for a second yellow card.
Any confidence Liverpool got from City going a man down lasted only two minutes, as the home team were awarded a penalty when Yaya Toure was clumsily fouled by Martin Skrtel. James Milner stepped up and blasted the spot kick past Reina to give City a 3-0 lead.
Adam Johnson went close to adding a fourth goal, but his effort came back off the goalpost.
Liverpool battled gamely to the end, but Hart saved from Steven Gerrard and Downing to seal a convincing win for City.
City manager Roberto Mancini was pleased with the result, but also acknowledged that the Citizens face a “big month” in January without Yaya Toure. The Ivory Coast midfielder was outstanding against Liverpool, and will now go away to play in the African Cup of Nations.
“He is a very important player,” Mancini told BBC Sport. “I have tried to find another Yaya in my squad but there isn’t another Yaya.”
LINEUPS
MAN – Hart, Richards, Kompany, Clichy, K Toure, Milner, Barry, Silva (Lescott 76), Y Toure, Dzeko, Aguero (Johnson 71).
LIV – Reina, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Henderson, Downing, Spearing (Maxi 76), Adam (Gerrard 57), Carroll, Kuyt (Bellamy 57).
SCORING SUMMARY
MAN – Sergio Aguero (David Silva) 10’
MAN – Yaya Toure (David Silva) 33’
MAN – James Milner (penalty kick) 75’
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Attendance: 47,131
