..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Newcastle United Vs Manchester United Line Up

Newcastle Lineup

Robert Elliot
Fabricio Coloccini
Davide Santon
Michael Williamson
Massadio Haidara
Vurnon Anita
Yoan Gouffran
Dan Gosling
Ismael Cheik Tioté
Papiss Demba Cisse
Luuk de Jong

&

Manchester United

Anders Lindegaard
Patrice Evra
Antonio Valencia
Chris Smalling
Phil Jones
Darren Fletcher
Ashley Young
Marouane Fellaini
Shinji Kagawa
Juan Mata
Javier Hernández
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chicharito,Mata & Kagawa ta hoda chance 1kak ada wada pennanna

Good Luck Manchester United!

​

 

[jannuse]

Me thread eke uba witharane ban post karanne?

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Wolfsburg: Reus winner boosts BVB's second place hopes

Borussia Dortmund came from a goal down to beat Wolfsburg at Signal Iduna Park and strengthen their push for second spot in the Bundesliga.

Marco Reus completed the comeback after 78 minutes with his 13th goal of the season - and fifth in three games - after Robert Lewandowski had cancelled out Ivica Olic's opener.Dortmund's victory lifted them three points clear of Schalke in the race for second, with the latter having been held to a 1-1 draw at Werder Bremen earlier on Saturday.

The result also provided a boost for Jurgen Klopp's side, who are 20 points behind Bundesliga champions Bayern, after their 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in midweek, which has left them facing likely elimination from the Champions League ahead of Tuesday's second-leg.

Klopp made several changes to the side that was comprehensively beaten by Madrid, with Mitchell Langerak replacing Roman Weidenfeller between the posts
in one of the alterations.

The away side started brightest and Sokratis Papastathopoulos had to be alert to close down Kevin De Bruyne after the former Chelsea man had found a way into the Dortmund box.

Reus had scored each of Dortmund's last four goals in the Bundesliga before the fixture and almost grabbed another after eight minutes, but his shot from the left was saved.Wolfsburg's Olic then missed a chance to open the scoring from close range when he got on the end of Robin Knoche's cross from the right, while Reus tested Max Grun again following a nicely weighted throughball from Lewandowski.

Langerak had to react quickly to punch over from a Max Arnold cross after 24 minutes, with the effort taking a wicked deflection which nearly looped over the goalkeeper's head.Olic then showed great attacking instinct to pounce on a loose ball in the six-yard box after 33 minutes to give the visitors the lead.Reus continued to carry the main threat for Dortmund, first sending a fizzing shot just wide and minutes later rounding the Wolfsburg goalkeeper but eventually being crowded out.

Olic incredibly struck the crossbar twice just before the break as he slid in to reach a cross from De Bruyne. The forward's initial attempt came back off the woodwork before the ball rebounded off his left foot to hit the bar again.

Klopp opted to make two half-time changes with Erik Durm and Milos Jojic replacing Nuri Sahin and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang respectively.The changes paid dividends as the hosts found an equaliser five minutes after the restart when Lewandowski bravely got on the end of Reus' corner from the left to score with a somewhat unorthodox header.

The Polish striker came to life after the goal and his lay-off provided Reus with a chance that he was unable to take.However, Reus then grabbed the winner, tapping in after a mix-up between Wolfsburg keeper Grun and his defenders.

The visitors could not find a way back, giving Dortmund a psychological advantage ahead of the DFB-Pokal semi-final between the two sides later this month.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea 3-0 Stoke City: Blues back on track with easy victory

Jose Mourinho's men suffered a shock 1-0 league defeat to lowly Crystal Palace last weekend before losing 3-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in their midweek Champions League last-eight clash.

But a return to Stamford Bridge proved welcome for the title chasers as Mohamed Salah scored on his full debut, Frank Lampard netted the rebound from his own saved penalty and Willian rifled home a stunner to preserve Chelsea's unbeaten home record in the top flight this season.

The result also extends Chelsea's excellent record against Stoke on home soil, with City having lost on their last eight visits, failing to score in the last seven.

It also settles a score for the London club, who were beaten 3-2 at the Britannia Stadium in December.

Mourinho, who has repeatedly downplayed his side's title chances, rested some key players as Eden Hazard, scorer of Chelsea's goal at the Parc des Princes, and Oscar took up places on the bench.

Fernando Torres, whose Stamford Bridge future has been the subject of much debate this week, was denied by the alert Asmir Begovic as the Spaniard looked to race on to Willian's early through-ball.

The former Liverpool striker then fired a shot narrowly wide of goal in the ninth minute as he sought to make a point.

Branislav Ivanovic should have done better with an 18-yard effort midway through the half but the Serbian looped his shot over the crossbar with the outside of his right boot.

Stoke almost gifted the hosts the opening goal when Erik Pieters attempted to chest the ball back to Begovic, only for Torres to intervene, forcing the visiting goalkeeper to bravely block.

Salah made the breakthrough with 31 minutes gone, firing home an excellent first-time effort after good work down the left from Nemanja Matic.

An offside flag denied Ivanovic Chelsea's second when he headed in Lampard's cross just before the break.

The visitors made a determined start to the second half and, with Chelsea struggling to assert themselves, Mourinho introduced Hazard from the bench.

The Belgian immediately had an impact, playing a neat backheel into Salah inside the box, where the Egyptian was brought down by half-time substitute Andy Wilkinson for a Chelsea penalty.

Lampard's effort was initially saved by Begovic down to the goalkeeper's right, but the England midfielder responded first to tap the loose ball into an empty net. The midfielder is the fourth highest-scoring Englishman in Premier League history, moving level with Wayne Rooney on 171.

There was no way back for former Chelsea midfielder Mark Hughes' side when Willian stroked home a tremendous effort from the edge of the box with 18 minutes left, but Stoke are still all but safe from relegation on 40 points.

Chelsea, though, have loftier aims and can now prepare for Tuesday's visit of PSG with a degree of confidence after an eighth consecutive clean sheet at home in all competitions.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona 3-1 Betis: Messi strikes twice as Martino's men keep pressure on Atletico

Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona secured a 3-1 win over a spirited Betis side at Camp Nou on Saturday.

The Argentine opened the scoring from the spot and struck his side's third from a rebound after his late penalty was saved by Adan, after Barca had been made to handle a nervy second period following Ruben Castro's goal.

The Catalan giants were in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week after Fifa hit them with a transfer embargo for next season due to irregularities found in their dealings at youth level.

It will have come as an unwelcome distraction for Gerardo Martino and his men, who have plenty on their plate in a three-way fight for the title with Atletico and Real Madrid.

After Atletico's 1-0 win over Villarreal earlier on Saturday, Barca knew they could ill afford a slip-up against the league's bottom club and their nerves were settled when Messi rolled in a 15th-minute penalty.

A Jordi Figueras own goal midway through the second half gave the hosts some breathing space and, although Betis replied instantly through substitute Castro, Messi converted the rebound after another penalty was saved for his 25th league goal of the season.

The hosts, who remain within a point of Atletico, were rarely threatened by their beleaguered visitors, whose 3-1 win at Levante in their previous away outing was their first on their travels in the league all season.

Defeat leaves them nine points from safety with only six matches remaining, and the situation could yet get worse for Gabriel Calderon's side with three of the four teams immediately above them set to play on Sunday.

Xavi was first to threaten in the 10th minute, thumping an effort from the edge of the area, but Antonio Adan reacted brilliantly to get down low to his left and parry away.

It took Barca just five more minutes to move in front, Messi tucking away the penalty after Alexis Sanchez's twisting and turning inside the area had drawn a foul from Figueras.

The Argentinian went close to doubling his tally four minutes before the interval, jinking into space on the edge of the box before curling his shot narrowly wide of the left-hand upright.

Xavi almost added a second six minutes into the second half, but the midfielder's free kick from 25 yards glanced the top of the crossbar with Adan rooted to the spot.

Alfred N'Diaye gave Barca a rare fright in the 64th minute as Jose Manuel Pinto leapt to tip the midfielder's deflected effort over the top.

Three minutes later however, Barca surged further ahead in bizarre fashion.

Figueras was the unlucky man once more, diverting the ball into his own net as he stretched to cut out Adriano's pass towards Pedro.

The visitors showed some spirit in responding immediately, Castro picking up N'Diaye's cut-back and firing low beyond Pinto.

Hopes of a comeback were dashed four minutes from time, Messi just squeezing home the rebound after seeing his spot-kick saved by Adan when Juanfran was adjudged to have handled Neymar's cross inside the area.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 Reims: Cavani on target as Blanc's men close on title

Edinson Cavani was on target in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's absence as Paris Saint-Germain secured a 3-0 win over Stade de Reims to close in on the Ligue 1 title.

The Uruguayan struck shortly before half-time before two second-half own goals from Aissa Mandi sealed maximum points for Laurent Blanc's men.

Victory over Hubert Fournier's side takes the capital club 16 points clear of Monaco, who host Nantes on Sunday, and defeat for Claudio Ranieri's side will give PSG the chance to wrap up their second successive title next week at Olympique Lyonnais.

PSG used the opportunity to rest several key players ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg at Chelsea.

Though 3-1 up from the first leg, the likes of Thiago Motta, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Blaise Matuidi were all benched ahead of the trip to west London.

Below-par in the week, Cavani was razor-sharp throughout the first half and went close 14 minutes in after racing onto Adrien Rabiot's pass, but Mickael Tacalfred recovered well to deny him.

Reims' attacks were few and far between but Odair Fortes almost caught Salvatore Sirigu out with a long-distance effort.

Visiting goalkeeper Kossi Agassa was perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty with 10 minutes of the half to go after felling the impressive Lucas Moura, but referee Laurent Duhamel was unmoved.

And PSG's dominance was finally rewarded in the 43rd minute as Cavani slotted home after good work on the right from Gregory van der Wiel.

The first half had seen Blanc's side frustrated, but they were quick to strike again after the break.

PSG's left-back Lucas Digne fashioned an opening down the left before the teenager's cross was headed towards goal by Lucas and deflected in by the hapless Mandi.

Cavani had a gilt-edged chance to double his tally 10 minutes into the second period, but he drilled his effort wide, with Jeremy Menez also shooting off-target soon afterwards.

Mandi then passed up a chance to redeem his earlier slip, heading Floyd Ayite's free kick over the crossbar as PSG sat back in hopes of preserving their lead.

Lavezzi emerged from the bench to replace Cavani with 25 minutes to go and saw a penalty appeal waved away after going down under a challenge from Tacalfred.

And with Chelsea on the horizon, PSG easily kept up their winning habit as Mandi inexplicably turned past Agassa for a second time with two minutes to go, securing the hosts an 11th-consecutive victory in all competitions ahead of the trip to London.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hull City 1-0 Swansea City: Boyd earns important win for Tigers

Hull City will head to Wembley in high spirits after a 1-0 win at home to Swansea City all but secured their Premier League survival.

Following four defeats in their previous five Premier League outings, Steve Bruce's men needed a morale boost ahead of next weekend's FA Cup semi-final against League One Sheffield United at the English national stadium, and they got it by moving further clear of the relegation zone.

George Boyd, returning from a three-match suspension, towered above Angel Rangel to head home the only goal – his first since December – six minutes before half-time.

Bruce had urged the home supporters to recreate the atmosphere that propelled Hull to promotion from the Championship last season, and they were fully behind their team despite Swansea having the better of possession and the chances early on.

Just 10 years ago to the month, Hull won 3-2 at Swansea in the fourth tier of English football, and the Welsh side still have some work to do to retain their Premier League status, with an 11th successive away league match without victory keeping them only just above safety.Swansea named an unchanged side, while Hull welcomed Maynor Figueroa and Boyd back into their starting XI following injury and suspension respectively.

Figueroa was quickly involved, producing a superb cross to give Shane Long a glorious chance, but the Republic of Ireland striker’s tame shot allowed Michel Vorm to push the ball behind for a corner.

Long responded positively on 16 minutes, however, controlling the ball with an exquisite touch and teeing up Boyd, whose low shot from the edge of the box forced Vorm into a comfortable save.

Figueroa, renowned for scoring from his own half for Wigan Athletic against Stoke City in 2009, tried his luck from 45 yards with another audacious attempt, but the ball went out for a throw.The pace of Wayne Routledge and Jonathan de Guzman tormented Hull from the outset, and the former’s delightful throughball sent the latter racing into the area after 25 minutes. De Guzman cut inside his marker, but he hesitated and his shot was blocked.

Almost immediately, Wilfried Bony threaded the ball behind the hosts’ defence for Routledge. Noticing Steve Harper well off his line, Routledge attempted a chip but his weak effort went straight into the arms of the 39-year-old goalkeeper.Nikica Jelavic then fired a free-kick narrowly over before Hull broke the deadlock six minutes before half-time.

Liam Rosenior crossed to the back post and as Vorm stayed on his line, Boyd towered above the static Rangel to head home and leave the Swansea goalkeeper and right-back arguing.

Soon after the restart, Boyd tricked his way down the flank and delivered a threatening cross, which Long just failed to get his head to.

Thereafter, Swansea began to dominate possession, but despite some neat passing they failed to create a meaningful chance until the 70th minute, when substitute Nathan Dyer sliced his strike well wide after impressive play from Routledge.

Swansea's last chance fell to Bony, but after racing onto a pass from Jonjo Shelvey the Ivorian's wayward shot from inside the area went high and wide as Hull held on for a much-needed win.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Norwich 0-1 West Brom: Amalfitano moves Baggies clear of drop zone

West Brom gave their survival hopes a shot in the arm and kept Norwich City firmly in danger with a 1-0 win at Carrow Road.

Morgan Amalfitano scored the crucial goal after 16 minutes as Pepe Mel and West Brom ended a turbulent week on a high with a victory that leaves both sides five points clear of the bottom three. Mel and the club's board had been forced to play down an incident that took place in the dressing room after last weekend's 3-3 draw with Cardiff City.

However, after attentions reverted to on-field matters, Amalfitano ensured West Brom responded positively on a day when fellow strugglers Cardiff were beaten by Crystal Palace.

The Marseille loanee, who put West Brom ahead against Cardiff last week, was on target once more at Carrow Road as he showed quick feet to evade the stumbling Martin Olsson before shooting across John Ruddy into the far corner.

Norwich twice hit the woodwork during the second half but there was to be no late drama, as there was when West Brom scored and conceded in stoppage time at The Hawthorns last week, with Mel's men picking up a rare away win in the top flight to keep their opponents looking over their shoulders.

Perhaps showing nerves due to the importance of the fixture, Gareth McAuley almost handed Gary Hooper a shot on goal within 30 seconds, as the former Celtic man nearly beat Ben Foster to a sloppy backpass.From there, West Brom grew into the game and went close to an opener with strikes from Graham Dorrans and Amalfitano.

Johan Elmander then blazed an effort high and wide from inside the box after the ball had deflected into his path, prior to Amalfitano scoring for a second week running.Taking full advantage of Olsson's slip, the Frenchman produced a smart finish to beat Ruddy and open the scoring.

Ruddy ensured Matej Vydra did not double West Brom's lead following a quick break, while Norwich were frustrated in their attempts to find an equaliser - Foster making a smart stop to keep out a header from Hooper just after the half-hour mark.

West Brom were penned back under plenty of Norwich pressure after the interval but struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances until Hooper crashed an effort off the angle of post and crossbar from an acute angle inside the area. Robert Snodgrass' free kick was then tipped onto the bar by Foster but Norwich's pressure failed to bring rewards as they were beaten at home in the top flight for the first time this year.

 

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Atletico Madrid 1-0 Villarreal: Raul Garcia keeps Simeone's men top

Raul Garcia scored the only goal of the game as Atletico Madrid beat Villarreal on Saturday to stay top of La Liga.

A bright start saw the table-toppers take a deserved lead courtesy of Garcia's 14th-minute header, which proved decisive in a game of precious few chances.

Jeremy Perbet nearly found an equaliser midway through the second half with a curling effort, but could only find the roof of the net.

Atletico's preparations for the game were affected by the hamstring injury sustained by Diego Costa in the 1-1 Champions League quarter-final draw at Barcelona in midweek, and they struggled to find their usual incisiveness in the final third in the absence of their top scorer.

However, a combination of Garcia's ninth Liga goal of the season and typically dogged defensive resistance secured a vital three points for Diego Simeone's side.

The win continues Atletico's unbeaten league run at the Vicente Calderon, which now stands at 18 games, and leaves them four points ahead of Barca at the top of the table ahead of the reigning champions' clash with Real Betis later on Saturday.

Atleti playmaker Diego struck a thunderbolt at Camp Nou on Tuesday, and the Brazilian nearly produced another stunning strike within the opening two minutes here, meeting a Koke corner on the edge of the box before powering a volley over the bar.

Villarreal failed to heed that early warning and were behind 12 minutes later, when another Koke corner found Garcia, who rose unopposed to plant a header past former Atletico keeper Sergio Asenjo from seven yards.

Simeone's men struggled to build on their early advantage, though, with the hosts' attacking threat noticeably weakened without Costa, who has scored 33 goals in all competitions this term.

However, Atletico’s resilient defence - the best in La Liga, having conceded just 22 times in 32 outings - restricted Villarreal's creative freedom in the final third for much of first half.

Perbet did manage to get behind the hosts' defence after 32 minutes, but his flashed ball across the box eluded both Trigueros and Cani.

Atletico striker David Villa forced a smart save from Asenjo seven minutes after the break, as the hosts looked to muster a second goal and calm nerves among the home faithful.

Villarreal began to find more of a rhythm as the second half wore on, with Cani wasting a good opportunity just after the hour, harmlessly dragging wide after some good link-up play with Tomas Pina.

The visitors continued to press, and nearly restored parity 10 minutes later when Perbet curled a looping shot onto the roof of the net with Thibaut Courtois well beaten.

That was as close as Villarreal came, though, with Courtois remaining relatively untested for the rest of the game as Atletico took another huge step towards a first Liga title since 1996.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Newcastle 0-4 Manchester United: Sublime Mata double boosts Moyes

Juan Mata was the star of the show as Manchester United warmed up for the second leg of their Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich by comfortably beating Newcastle at St James' Park.

Mata curled in a sublime free-kick on 39 minutes to break the deadlock and added a second from close range five minutes after the break following good work from Javier Hernandez.

Newcastle never looked like mounting a comeback and Hernandez celebrated a rare start by adding a third on 64 minutes before Adnan Januzaj struck late on.
The Magpies, still hampered by manager Alan Pardew's touchline ban, have now lost three in a row and drawn a blank in all of those games, conceding 11 goals in the process.

Yet Moyes, who was without the injured Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, will take his charges to Munich high on confidence as United seek to follow up last week's 1-1 draw with Bayern by progressing to the last four of Europe's premier club competition.

Ashley Young and Hernandez linked up twice in quick succession early on to force Mike Williamson into carbon-copy near-post clearances, before Marouane Fellaini was penalised for handball when trying to control and shoot inside the box.

Winger Young was forced off the field for treatment on a hand injury with 14 minutes on the clock and Newcastle looked to capitalise as Cheick Tiote flashed a powerful effort over the bar from 15 yards.

The injury ultimately brought a premature end to Young's afternoon, with Januzaj introduced in his place.

An ambitious overheard kick from Papiss Cisse proved simple for Anders Lindegaard to gather as the Dane settled into his first top-flight game since the 5-5 draw at West Brom on the final day of last season.

The stand-in goalkeeper was called into action again midway through the half, tipping Cisse's powerful header over the bar.

Opposite number Rob Elliot was less convincing when he came out to punch away a free-kick from Mata, with the close attention of Chris Smalling causing the ball to fall loose for Shinji Kagawa, who could only drag his shot wide.

However, there was nothing Elliot could do to keep out Mata's superb set-piece effort six minutes before the break as the Spain international lifted a curling effort into the top-right corner from the edge of the box for his second goal in as many league games.

The lead could have been doubled on the stroke of half-time but Hernandez struck Elliot's left-hand post with a low shot after racing clear.

Undeterred by that near miss, the away side did extend their advantage just five minutes into the second half, Mata collecting Hernandez's pass before wrong-footing Fabricio Coloccini and Elliot to stroke home.

The impressive Hernandez gave his side breathing space with a close-range finish from Kagawa's 65th-minute cut-back, the Mexican's fourth top-flight goal of the season.

Cisse forced two excellent late saves from Lindegaard but Januzaj added a fourth for the visitors after an excellent one-two with Mata, handing United a measure of revenge for December's 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!

Mata Niyamai!

Mata ,Kagawa & Chicharito hodatama play kala

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Augsburg 1-0 Bayern Munich: Molders sends champions crashing to first Bundesliga defeat

A solitary strike from Sascha Molders was enough for Augsburg to condemn Bayern Munich to their first Bundesliga defeat of the season on Saturday.

Molders turned home Daniel Baier's pass in clever style as Pep Guardiola tasted defeat for the first time in the Bundesliga and saw his side's winless run extended to three in all competitions ahead of the Champions League clash with Manchester United next week.

The Bavarians have already clinched the earliest league title in Bundesliga history, defending their crown this season with seven games to spare, and the records have continued to tumble after a sequence that had not seen them beaten domestically in the top flight since October 2012 against Bayer Leverkusen.

Augsburg seemed unlikely to be the ones to trouble that record, heading into the match without a win in their last four league fixtures, but a 31st-minute strike from forward Molders gave them an historic victory and handed Bayern their first loss in 54 league games.

Guardiola made a host of changes to the side that drew with Manchester United in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash during midweek with Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez the only ones to retain their places.

Perhaps sensing an opportunity, Augsburg started strongly, with Matthias Ostrzolek testing Neuer after just two minutes with a long-range shot.

The champions were again under early pressure when Schweinsteiger conceded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area after a foul on Halil Altintop, although the set-piece was dealt with by the Munich wall.

Bayern's first attempt came after nine minutes when Xherdan Shaqiri let the ball run across his body then sent a low driven shot just wide of the left-hand post.

Guardiola's much-changed side looked far from their usual dominant selves, with Augsburg finding constant gaps in their defence.

Neuer was called into action again after 10 minutes when Alexander Esswein beat the offside trap to find a way through on goal, but the Germany shot-stopper was quickest to the ball and cleared the danger.

Altintop could then have put Augsburg in front after 25 minutes when he latched onto Esswein's low cross from the right, but Neuer once again stood tall.

Gradually, Bayern began to assert control and Claudio Pizarro almost found a way through from a Shaqiri pass.

Augsburg took the lead 14 minutes from half-time, though, as Molders punished Munich when they lost possession on the left - the striker running in behind the defence to receive a throughball from Baier and fire home.

Guardiola opted to make two second-half changes, with Gotze introduced at the break replacing Shaqiri and Alaba coming on for Ylli Sallahi shortly afterwards.

Mandzukic then missed a superb chance to level the match inside a minute of the restart when he headed over from close range.

Neuer had to be alert to stop Bayern from going further behind with a strong save in a one-on-one situation with Esswein as Augsburg continued to push.

Raul Bobadilla then went even closer to doubling the lead late on, as his shot struck the post.

Bayern piled on the pressure late on but were unable to find a breakthrough as Guardiola watched his side extend their winless run in all competitions to three ahead of Wednesday's clash with the English champions at the Allianz Arena.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City 4-1 Southampton: Silva stars as hosts maintain title charge

Manchester City closed to within a point of Premier League leaders Liverpool after recording a comfortable victory over Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.

In a first half overshadowed by what appears to be a serious knee injury sustained by Jay Rodriguez, Yaya Toure put the home side in front from the penalty spot just three minutes in after Jose Fonte had felled Edin Dzeko, but Rickie Lambert brought the Saints level from 12 yards on 37 minutes.

But Samir Nasri slotted in a pass from an offside David Silva to put City back in front eight minutes later and Dzeko headed in Aleksandar Kolarov's cross immediately before half-time.

City had been clinical rather than dominant in the first half but controlled the match after the break, with substitute Stevan Jovetic adding a fourth nine minutes from time.

The win keeps pressure on Premier League title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool, with Pellegrini taking his side to Anfield next week for a clash that could decide the destination of the trophy.

City made a barnstorming start, though they had Fonte's inexplicable trip on Dzeko to thank as Toure opened the scoring from the spot, sending Paulo Gazzaniga - playing in place of the injured Artur Boruc - the wrong way.

Nasri wasted a chance to double the advantage two minutes later, and the visitors eventually settled into the game.

Their momentum was checked when Rodriguez was forced off looking in distress after appearing to twist his knee in an awkward landing as England boss Roy Hodgson looked on concerned from the stands.

Despite that setback, Zabaleta then brought down Cork to give Lambert the chance to equalise from 12 yards - and the striker coolly maintained his 100 per cent record from the spot for the Saints.

Southampton had most of the play after their equaliser but were caught with a sucker-punch in the 45th minute as Nasri turned home from Silva's pass, though replays showed the Spaniard had been comfortably offside in the build-up.

Gazzaniga was arguably at fault for City's third, flapping at an Aleksandar Kolarov cross to gift Dzeko his 21st goal of the season.

The hosts controlled much of the second half and had several chances to extend their lead further in the period's opening 20 minutes.

Toure saw shouts for the game's third penalty waved away, Dzeko skewed horribly wide after seeing his initial effort saved and Gazzaniga displayed a better side of his game to keep Nasri out.

The fourth finally came late on as Jesus Navas gave Jovetic a tap-in as City took another step closer to the title, before Toure struck the post late on.

A fourth defeat in Southampton's last five away trips, meanwhile, hinders their late run for the top six.

 

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