Manchester City made the most of a sluggish showing from West Brom as the
Premier League champions eased to a 3-1 win at The Hawthorns.
Despite being without captain Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and Edin
Dzeko through injury, Manuel Pellegrini's side took advantage of a dismal
opening period from the hosts to keep pace with leaders Chelsea.
The visitors were handed an early gift courtesy of Ben Foster, as the West
Brom goalkeeper dropped a looping Jesus Navas cross eight minutes in.
Midfielder Fernando took full advantage to cleverly register his first goal for
the club, with ex-City defender Joleon Lescott also aiding his former
employers' cause soon afterwards.
David Silva went down under Lescott's challenge inside the area and, when
Yaya Toure subsequently doubled City's advantage from the penalty spot, they
were well on course for a ninth consecutive win in all competitions.
Despite rarely getting out of first gear, the champions were three to the good
11 minutes before the interval when Silva calmly steered a strike past Foster.
An improved defensive effort from West Brom kept the score respectable after
the break, and they finally got on the scoresheet themselves when Brown
Ideye turned the ball home after a scramble late on, but it proved too little, too
late for Alan Irvine's men.
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