A stunning goal from David Silva and a late strike from Edin Dzeko gave City a valuable 2-0 victory over Hull City at the KC Stadium, despite playing for 80 minutes of the match with 10 men. The victory keeps City firmly in Premier League title contention — they now sit six points behind leaders Chelsea ahead of their clash with Aston Villa later and still have two games in hand on Jose Mourinho’s side.

Kompany was sent off after just 10 minutes having been robbed by Nikica Jelavic and bringing him down for a professional foul. David Silva netted a wonderful goal three minutes later and Manuel Pellegrini's side held firm in a commanding performance. Edin Dzeko added a late second to seal three vital points.

Nikica Jelavic had already threatened a couple of times in the early stages when he challenged Kompany for the ball 25 yards from goal and was hauled down by the Belgian centre-back.

Referee Lee Mason had no hesitation in brandishing a straight red card even though Kompany, protesting that the initial foul had been from Jelavic, appeared hugely frustrated as he trudged off and kicked the wall on his way through the tunnel.

City responded to the setback in perfect fashion, though, as Silva produced a moment of magic out of nowhere to break the deadlock on 13 minutes. There did not look to be any imminent danger as the Spaniard picked up a short pass from Yaya Toure, but he was able to curl a sublime strike from distance beyond the reach of McGregor and into the top corner.

Hull found it difficult to carve out chances and started losing their patience, with Elmohamady perhaps fortunate to only receive a yellow card for a wild tackle on Silva.

Meyler, on the wrong end of an Alan Pardew headbutt in Hull's previous league game, briefly thought he had equalised with a ferocious strike from 12 yards, but the flag was correctly raised for offside.

Jake Livermore shot powerfully wide from long range just before the interval, and Hull began to build more momentum as the second half began after bringing on Aluko for Figueroa.

Joe Hart was finally called into action to save from Shane Long, but the Tigers' attacks were repeatedly cut short by offside calls as the much-maligned Demichelis marshalled his defence impressively.

Hull did manage to work their way into a good position in the 69th minute, but George Boyd went down in the area after playing the ball round Hart. Replays showed there was no contact and as referee Mason waved away appeals for a penalty, a furious Hart confronted Boyd for diving, landing the England keeper a booking as the Hull midfielder escaped without punishment. Watching a replay later Boyd was also seen to spit at Hart. (See Video below)

Dzeko was also denied by a fine McGregor save as Man City launched a late break, but he was able to grab his goal in the 90th minute with a neat finish after being played through by Silva's sumptuous outside-of-the-boot pass.

Photo: Action Images

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