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Manchester City ease to win over West Bromwich Albion

Manchester City move to within six points of league leaders Liverpool courtesy of a 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Manchester City have moved back to within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool courtesy of a 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad this evening.

The hosts made a perfect start to the match when they took the lead inside three minutes as Pablo Zabaleta nodded home from close range after Ben Foster had parried Sergio Aguero's strike.

Pablo Zabaleta of Manchester City celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion on April 21, 2014© Getty Images

Aguero almost doubled his side's lead two minutes later as Samir Nasri slipped the ball through to the Argentine striker, but he couldn't keep his shot down.

He did get a goal in the 10th minute, however, reacting quickest to his own blocked pass to curl the ball past Foster from 25 yards.

West Bromwich Albion's Scottish midfielder Graham Dorrans (L) scores his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match against Manchester City on April 21, 2014© Getty Images

Stephane Sessegnon threatened with a long-range effort moments later, but it was Graham Dorrans who pulled a goal back for the Baggies, flicking the ball over Gael Clichy before slamming his shot past Joe Hart.

City had their two-goal cushion back with nine minutes to go until half time as Martin Demichelis lost his marker in the box and swept home a corner at the back post.

Martin Demichelis of Manchester City (L) scores their third goal past goalkeeper Ben Forster of West Bromwich Albion during the Barclays Premier League match on April 21, 2014© Getty Images

The hosts almost got a fourth shortly before the hour mark when David Silva slipped a pass through to Zabaleta, whose drilled cross was poked narrowly wide by Nasri.

Morgan Amalfitano drew a routine stop from Hart with just under 20 minutes to go in the match, while Stevan Jovetic came close himself moments later as he fired an effort just wide.

City continued to push for a fourth in the closing stages and Edin Dzeko almost provided it, curling an effort off target from the edge of the box having been found by Nasri's pass.

James Milner also threatened late on with a powerful effort that drew a save from Foster, but they settled for the 3-1 win to keep the pressure on the teams above them in the table.

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Pablo Zabaleta of Manchester City celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion on April 21, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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