Manchester City ensured they would be top of the Premier League table at christmas following their comfortable win against Stoke at the Etihad Stadium.
Two goals from Sergio Aguero and a fierce strike from Adam Johnson was enough for Roberto Mancini’s side to see off the Potters who saw their four game winning streak come to an end in the blue half of Manchester. The win was City’s ninth in a row at home this season and keeps them two points clear of rivals United who are now breathing down their necks going into the New Year. In fact they will end 2011 having failed to taste defeat at the Etihad in their 29 games on home soil this year. Their latest victory against Tony Pulis’ Stoke side was one of the more routine and keeps them ahead of their noisy neighbours who thrashed Fulham at Craven Cottage.
After beating Arsenal in a thrilling encounter on Sunday there was an level of expectancy that City would struggle against a physical Potters side who had won four on the trot going into the game. However they failed to match up to the home sides pace and ingenuity and wasted a rare chance during a poor first half with Jon Walters failing to suitably test Joe Hart with a header despite being well placed. It proved costly as City took the lead just before the half hour mark with Aguero tucking the ball home at the back post after Vincent Kompany flicked Yaya Toure’s cross onto the Argentinian. The lead was doubled seven minutes later as Stoke paid the price for some sloppy passing with Johnson punishing them lashing the ball past Thomas Sorensen from 25-yards. The winger almost doubled his tally but was thwarted by the Danish keeper who brilliantly palmed his free kick away from danger.
It was a similar story after the break as the home side continued to press forward in search of more goals and they only had to wait 10 minutes before Aguero made it 3-0. City’s leading scorer was hand to sweep home Samir Nasri’s cross for his 15th of the season and had a chance to complete his hat trick soon after but ultimately failed to do so as the league leaders ran out comfortable victors. Stoke, on the other hand, will be disappointed they didn’t provide much a test but will look forward to a well earned break before Boxing Day following their jam packed end to 2011.
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