LONDON: Manchester City gave fans something to cheer in their first game since being deposed as Premier League champions with two superb goals in a 2-1 home win over West Ham United on Saturday.
A well-worked passing move led to Sergio Aguero’s first-half opener and Yaya Toure sent an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net from just outside the box late on.
Second-placed City, who lost their title to Manchester United on Monday, took a large step to securing an automatic Champions League berth with four games remaining.
Roberto Mancini’s side sit nine points ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea, who occupy the Champions League playoff spot and have five games left starting with Sunday’s home match against Swansea City.
West Ham are not mathematically safe from relegation but have no realistic worries lying 10th in the table.
City, who are gearing up for the FA Cup final against Wigan on May 11, dominated the early stages with Aguero making the 28th-minute breakthrough.
The goal meant City equalled an 83-year-old club record of scoring in a 48th consecutive home league game and Ivory Coast midfielder Toure’s 83rd-minute blast eased home nerves after West Ham had begun to press.
Striker Andy Carroll scored for the Londoners in stoppage time when his firm shot rolled through Joe Hart’s legs.
A late Emmerson Boyce own goal gave Champions League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur a 2-2 draw at lowly Wigan Athletic which did little to help either side at opposite ends of the Premier league table.
Spurs fans were left fretting that they will miss Europe’s premier competition yet again as they stayed fifth, nine points adrift of second-placed Man City.
Perennial strugglers Wigan stayed third-bottom having thought they were jumping out of the drop zone after Callum McMana-man scored from 25 metres with a searing effort.
Spurs had opened the scoring in comical fashion after nine minutes when Wigan goalkeeper Joel Robles fired the ball against the onrushing Gareth Bale and watched it fly into the goal, but Boyce soon equalised.
Stoke City are all but secure in the top flight after Charlie Adam’s goal secured a 1-0 home win over Norwich City who are still looking nervously over the shoulders. (Reuters)