Manchester City moved up to second place in the Premier League standings Saturday with a 3-1 win at relegation-threatened West Ham to put them level on points with leaders Arsenal. Strikes from Yaya Toure, Adam Johnson and a Robert Green own goal secured three precious points for Roberto Mancini's men, who now trail Arsenal by goal difference only ahead of the Gunners' visit to Manchester United on Monday.
-- Villa sink Albion to ease pressure on Houllier
-- Win-less woe continues for Everton
Toure opened the scoring after 30 minutes, the Ivory Coast midfielder combining with England international Gareth Barry to rifle an unstoppable shot past Hammers keeper Green. Toure was responsible for City's second goal on 73 minutes, surging into the West Ham penalty box and firing a low shot which cannoned off the post and into the net off the desperately unlucky Green's back.
Johnson - who had came on as a substitute to replace Mario Balotelli after the volatile Italian striker earned a booking for dissent - completed the scoring with a well-taken effort on 81 minutes. West Ham defender James Tomkins scored a late consolation for West Ham, heading in from a corner on 89 minutes. The defeat left the Hammers bottom on goal difference, four points adrift of safety.
Manchester City assistant manager Brian Kidd said the result was a testimony to the work of Mancini, comparing the Italian to his former mentor at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson. "The work the manager puts in on the training ground is immense. Tactically, technically, he deserves it," Kidd told Sky Sports television.
"I was privileged to work with Sir Alex at Manchester United and I see so many traits in the boss. He's a fantastic manager," Kidd said. Reigning champions Chelsea will reclaim top spot if they beat Tottenham in their visit to White Hart Lane on Sunday.
In Saturday's late game, newly-appointed Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will attempt to get his reign off to a winning start when the Magpies entertain Liverpool at St James' Park. Elsewhere Saturday, goals were thin on the ground with Everton being held to a goal-less draw against Wigan at Goodison as Fulham and Sunderland finished 0-0 at Craven Cottage.
Everton manager David Moyes couldn't hide his disappointment as Everton's win-less streak was extended to seven matches. "We made a few chances but we didn't have the ability to finish them. It's been the story of our season. We find it really difficult to score goals," Moyes told Sky Sports.
At Villa Park goals from Stewart Downing and Emile Heskey eased the pressure on Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier as the Birmingham club snatched a nervy 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion. Houllier had angered Villa fans with his behaviour during Villa's abject 3-0 defeat at Liverpool on Monday, which led to the Frenchman issuing an apology to supporters ahead of their meeting with the Baggies.
However Downing set Villa on the way to ending their four-match losing streak in all competitions when he got on the end of a Marc Albrighton cross to open the scoring on 25 minutes. Veteran striker Heskey, playing his first match since October after undergoing surgery on an injured knee ligament, made sure of the points for Villa on 80 minutes.
A bullet header from Austrian international midfielder Paul Scharner on 89 minutes ensured a nerve-jangling finale but Villa just managed to hold for a vital win. "It was a marvellous team effort and a great response in what we had to deal with in terms of pressure," Houllier said. "We were going through a difficult period. We're not out of it yet but we've got to stick together and push on."
Promoted Blackpool meanwhile maintained their proud away record with a 1-0 victory over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium which fired the Tangerines into the top half of the table. Blackpool took the lead through DJ Campbell in the 48th minute after a sweeping counter-attack orchestrated by in-form playmaker Charlie Adam. The win saw Blackpool move up to ninth with 22 points.
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