Manchester City remained five points clear at the top of the Premier League after the leaders thrashed Norwich 5-1, while Manchester United kept in touch with their title rivals thanks to a 1-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday. Roberto Mancini’s side took the lead in the 32nd minute at Eastlands when Argentina forward Sergio Aguero wriggled free of several Norwich defenders before flicking a clever finish into the far corner for his 13th goal of the season. Samir Nasri got the second when his floated free-kick caught Norwich goalkeeeper John Ruddy flat-footed and crept into the net in the 51st minute. Yaya Toure scored in the 68th minute and, although Wales striker Steve Morison got one back for Norwich in the 81st minute, substitutes Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson struck late on to secure a 12th successive home league win.
“It was not easy in the first half because Norwich defended with all their players behind the ball but Aguero scored a fantastic goal,” Mancini said. Sir Alex Ferguson’s United kicked off the late game at Villa Park eight points behind City and suffered an early blow when Mexico striker Javier Hernandez was stretchered off with ankle ligament damage that could keep him out for four weeks. However, the champions sealed the points in the 20th minute when England international Phil Jones scored the first senior goal of his career, volleying Nani’s cross past Shay Given. “We deserved the victory, we had great possession at times,” Ferguson said. “It was a lovely move for the goal. Nani put in a great cross and it was a lovely finish from Phil. It was a great time to score.”
At St James’ Park, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas was able to silence the critics as goals from Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge secured a 3-0 win over Newcastle.
Villas-Boas got an early break as Chelsea were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men in the fourth minute when David Luiz hauled down Demba Ba. Referee Mike Dean ruled in Chelsea’s favour again in the 14th minute when the official gave a penalty for Yohan Cabaye’s trip on Sturridge. However, Frank Lampard’s low spot-kick was weakly struck and Tim Krul pushed it onto a post. Chelsea took the lead when Drogba struck with a bullet header in the 38th minute.
Kalou’s 88th minute strike and a Sturridge goal in stoppage time secured Chelsea’s second win in their last five matches in all competitions and ended Newcastle’s unbeaten home run.
“The referee made a decision that he thought was right not to send off David Luiz, maybe the decision fell our way,” Villas-Boas said. “But it doesn’t overshadow the performance of the Chelsea players. It was a win that nobody was expecting.” Tottenham are third, seven points off the lead, after an emphatic 3-0 victory over 10-man Bolton at White Hart Lane.
Gareth Bale prodded Spurs into a seventh minute lead and moments later referee Stuart Attwell sent off Gary Cahill, harshly ruling the Bolton defender was the last man when he fouled Scott Parker. Aaron Lennon got Tottenham’s second goal in the 50th minute and Jermain Defoe sealed their sixth successive league victory 10 minutes later.
Five-star City maintain lead, United sink Villa
