City narrowed the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to six points with a comfortable 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at The Etihad on Monday. Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero and Martin Demichelis all scored for City as three different Argentinian players netted in a Premier League match for the first time. Unfortunately the game was marred by what looked like a seroius injury to David Silva who was stretchered off mid way through the second half with his right leg in a brace.

Manuel Pellegrini, responded to his side's 2-2 draw with Sunderland with three changes as Gael Clichy, David Silva and Edin Dzeko came in for Aleksandar Kolarov, James Milner and Alvaro Negredo respectively.

All the goals came before half-time and the first of them arrived inside three minutes. Samir Nasri teased Youssouf Mulumbu on the right flank and crossed to the edge of the six-yard box. Liam Ridgewell’s poor clearance went only as far as Sergio Aguero 15 yards out, and when Ben Foster could only palm his stinging half volley into the air, Zabaleta scored with a diving header.

Aguero looked particularly lively on his second start since missing a month with a hamstring injury and claimed City’s second, his 27th goal of the season.

Silva slipped the ball to the Argentine on the left and Amalfitano’s slip gave Aguero a clear sight of goal from 25 yards. He didn’t hesitate, curling the ball into the bottom corner. At that stage you would have backed City to score a hatful, so vulnerable did their opponents look. But West Brom had other ideas and replied with a wonderful breakaway goal. Silva may have missed training while having treatment on that ankle injury, but that does not explain the free-kick routine that he and Fernandinho messed up close to the Albion box.

City looked to have recovered from the slip up until Ridgewell dispossessed Zabaleta and broke upfield. He played the ball into Sessegnon who in turn fed Vydra on the right. He played in Graham Dorrans who flicked the ball up with his first touch, knocked it over Gael Clichy with his second and volleyed past Joe Hart.
Martin Demichelis has not always been a reassuring presence for City this season, but he was on top form last night and his goal in the 36th minute helped settle some nerves.
Nasri was involved again, sending over a corner from the right. Vincent Kompany got the slightest flick and Demichelis escaped the attentions of Jonas Olsson, turning the ball in from five yards out.

In a much more low-key second half Foster got in bravely at the feet of Dzeko to deny City a fourth, before the departure of Silva - moments after an uncomfortable-looking Aguero had been replaced by Stevan Jovetic - caused consternation in the City ranks.

Albion continued to chase what looked an increasingly lost cause, Amalfitano bringing a fine save out of Hart while substitute Victor Anichebe briefly caused havoc in the City box before Foster cleared.

Another Baggies substitute Saido Berahino had a penalty shout rejected by Dowd before Dzeko curled his late effort inches wide after a neat lay-off from Jovetic.

City substitute James Milner had the last chance of the match when he drilled a low injury-time effort which was well saved by the impressive Foster in the visitors' goal.

So we move on to our next cup final against Palace this weekend. Let's just hope by then Chelsea have taken something off Liverpool in their match at Anfield.

Photo: Action Images

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