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Ten-man City too good for Liverpool as Spurs nick win

Manchester City are three points clear at the top of the Premier League © Getty Images

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What They Said
Tuesday night gallery

Manchester City returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory against Liverpool, Tottenham claimed a narrow win against West Brom, while Sunderland marched on at Wigan.

Goals from Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and James Milner ensured Manchester City went three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win against Liverpool at Eastlands.

Gareth Barry saw red in the second half, but City underlined their title credentials with a comfortable victory against an in-form Liverpool side.

With City reeling from a surprise defeat to Sunderland on New Year's Day, Roberto Mancini restored David Silva and Sergio Aguero to the starting line-up, and it was Aguero who opened the scoring for City, although with a little help from Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina.

Liverpool, unbeaten in their last five matches, arrived in Manchester on a high, and started brightly. Stewart Downing had the chance to give the visitors the lead, but after being released on goal by Jordan Henderson, the winger was denied by an advancing Joe Hart, who was relieved to smother the ball after Downing hesitated.

City broke quickly, and Reina was required to pull off a save from Edin Dzeko, but moments later City took the lead. Dirk Kuyt was dispossessed in his own half, and a slick City passing move found Aguero on the edge of the penalty area, and his speculative strike from 25 yards out bobbled underneath the diving Reina.

City grew in confidence as the first half progressed, and Aguero felt his side should have had a penalty when the ball appeared to strike Martin Skrtel's arm. Referee Mike Jones shook his head, but City did not have to wait long for their second goal.

Reina was forced to react quickly to divert Vincent Kompany's header over the bar, and from the ensuring corner Yaya Toure evaded Glen Johnson to glance a header beyond the Liverpool keeper.

Kuyt had the chance to pull a goal back shortly before the break as Jose Enrique found Andy Carroll with a cross from the left. The England striker nodded the ball back across the face of goal to Kuyt but his volley was well blocked by a diving Kompany.

Kenny Dalglish brought on the returning Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy, who scored a brace in their 3-1 win against Newcastle last week, but neither was able to make an impact.

Jermain Defoe scored Tottenham's winner © Getty Images

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With 15 minutes remaining, Liverpool were given hope of staging a comeback when Barry was handed his marching orders, sent off for a second yellow card after checking the progress of Daniel Agger. But any glimmer of hope was swiftly extinguished as Yaya Toure won a penalty for City.

The Ivorian charged into the penalty area, but he was clipped by Skrtel. James Milner stepped up to convert the spot-kick, giving Reina no chance as he slammed the ball into the top corner. Adam Johnson nearly made it four a few minutes later; his left-footed shot curled past Reina only to be denied by the post.

Substitute Maxi Rodriguez had two chances to score a consolation for Liverpool as the game approached its conclusion, first stabbing his shot wide after finding space in the box, and moments later he shanked a rebound wide after Hart could only parry Bellamy's initial strike.

Jermain Defoe scored the winner as Tottenham kept up the pressure on the Premier League leaders with a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at White Hart Lane.

Despite dominating possession in the opening 45 minutes, Spurs were unable to find a way through a dogged Baggies defence in the first half. However, the breakthrough came shortly after the hour mark, Defoe collecting Gareth Bale's cross with his back to goal, and swivelling to fire a shot low past a diving Ben Foster.

The win sees Spurs cement third spot, moving within three points of second-placed Manchester United, who face Newcastle on Wednesday. However, there was concern for Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who saw Jake Livermore, William Gallas and Sandro all limp off with injuries.

Sunderland's revival under Martin O'Neill continued as they beat Wigan 4-1 at the DW Stadium. The Black Cats have now picked up 13 points from their last six matches. The match looked to be heading into the break goalless, but Craig Gardner scored on the stroke of half-time, his superb free-kick beating Ali Al-Habsi.

Wigan had enjoyed much of the possession, but they found themselves 2-0 down after 55 minutes, James McClean nodding home from close range after Al Habsi saved his initial header from David Vaughan's cross.

Wigan pulled a goal back through Hugo Rodallega, but as they pressed for an equaliser, they were caught on the break, and Stephane Sessegnon swept home after being fed by Nicklas Bendtner. And Vaughan put the icing on the cake for Sunderland, giving Al Habsi no chance with a rocket from 20 yards.

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