(Manchester United News)
Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton all earned Barclays Premier League victories on Saturday afternoon, keeping the pressure on Manchester United in the battle for a top four finish.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side ended a disappointing week on a high, beating West Bromwich Albion 3-0. Wilfried Bony’s first goal for City, plus strikes from Fernando and David Silva, gave them the win. “It was a comfortable win,” said Pellegrini. “Today we played well.”
The match was somewhat marred by referee Neil Swarbrick sending off of the ‘wrong’ West Brom player after 89 seconds: Gareth McAuley seemed to get a red for Craig Dawson’s foul. “How he sends off the wrong player is beyond me,” said Tony Pulis.
City stay in second place with 61 points, while Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat of Newcastle United away from home keeps the Gunners one point behind in third - and four ahead of United. Olivier Giroud scored a brace, while Moussa Sissoko netted for the Magpies.
Southampton beat Burnley 2-0 to stay sixth on 53 points, after Shane Long’s hit and a Jason Shackell own goal proved the difference at St. Mary’s.
Spurs meanwhile held on to seventh place, also with 53 points, after beating Leicester City 4-3 in a thriller at White Hart Lane. Harry Kane scored a stunning hat-trick to take his goal tally for the season up to 29, while a Christian Eriksen shot went in off Jeff Schlupp. The result keeps the Foxes rock bottom.
Elsewhere Swansea prevailed 1-0 at Aston Villa, keeping Tim Sherwood’s side in the relegation battle, while Crystal Palace defeated Stoke City 2-1. And on Sunday, Chelsea were made to work for a 3-2 win over Hull City, with goals from Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and - grabbing the late winner - Loic Remy.
