Ten-man Manchester City marched three points clear of Manchester
United at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory over
Liverpool.
Yaya Toure (r): Celebrates his strike
After just one point and no goals from two matches, they
were given an easy ride at the Etihad Stadium on their way to
opening up a cushion over their neighbours, who will try to reduce
the gap again at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Despite their recent wobble Roberto Mancini's side are still a
formidable force, especially at home, and they extended their 100%
home league record this season to 10 matches and made it 55 points
out of a possible 57 at the Etihad Stadium in the last year and
three days.
It was only the second time this season Liverpool had conceded
more than one in a league match - and their worst result since
losing 4-0 at Tottenham in September - but it could easily have
been more.
Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure did the damage in the first half
after benefiting from defensive lapses and even after Gareth Barry
was sent off, City added a third with James Milner's penalty.
Mancini's side were fortunate to escape from Anfield with a 1-1
draw in November but this encounter was not even close as they
recorded only their second win in 14 matches against the
Merseysiders.
What's the score? A fan gets a pointed message across
at the Etihad Stadium
Prior to kick-off Liverpool confirmed they would not be
appealing Luis Suarez's eight-match suspension for racially abusing
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
If this is what life is like without the Uruguay international
then the Reds could be in for a difficult six weeks, although the
quality of opposition will rarely be matched.
