Premier League review: Mario Balotelli scored for a fourth successive game as Manchester City jumped to the top of the Premier League with a 4-1 home win over Aston Villa. The Italian striker netted an overhead kick to set Roberto Mancini's side on the way to a victory that moved them two points ahead of Manchester United.
In the early kick-off, Unitedhad come from behind to force a 1-1 draw against Liverpoolat Anfield, with substitute Javier Hernandez heading a late equaliser.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard looked like making a dream return to the starting line-up when he curled home a 68th-minute free-kick to put seven months of rehabilitation after a groin operation behind him. However, Hernandez, who along with Wayne Rooney started on the bench, nodded home from close range with nine minutes remaining to earn United a point.
That result presented City with the chance to assume the leadership, which they seized with goals from Balotelli, Adam Johnson, Vincent Kompany and James Milner. Stephen Warnock replied for Villa.
Balotelli, who led the City attack in the absence of Carlos Tevez and the rested Sergio Aguero, provided the opening goal after 28 minutes when a bouncing ball reached him just outside the six-yard box with his back to goal and he produced the spectacular finish.
Johnson made it 2-0 after 47 minutes when he took advantage of a slip from Warnock to trickle a 20-yard out of the reach of Shay Given.
It was 3-0 five minutes later when Kompany’s glancing header from Johnson’s right-wing corner flashed past Villa’s former City goalkeeper.
Warnock cut into City’s lead but Milner restored the three-goal cushion with a sweet 20-yard strike in the 71st minute, swerving the ball away from Given.
Chelseaconsolidated third spot with a routine 3-1 victory over Evertonat Stamford Bridge, in the evening kick-off.
Juan Mata was the standout performer for the Blues, crafting the opportunity for Ashley Cole to lay on the first goal for Daniel Sturridge before supplying Ramires for the third. In between, John Terry nodded home Frank Lampard's free-kick.
Apostolos Vellios netted a consolation for Everton just seconds after coming off the bench.
Anthony Pilkington scored twice as Norwichwere convincing 3-1 winners against Swanseaat Carrow Road.
Pilkington rifled the opening goal inside the first minute after Steve Morison headed back a cross from the right by Kyle Naughton.
Russell Martin nudged Norwich 2-0 ahead after 10 minutes when he met a free-kick from the left delivered by David Fox with a powerful header, but Danny Graham’s scuffed left-footed shot brought Swansea back into the contest two minutes later.
Pilkington pounced again in the 63rd minute, converting from close range after a corner from Fox was helped back into the six-yard box by Bradley Johnson.
QPRwere held 1-1 by Blackburnat Loftus Road.
The home side’s opener in the 16th minute was lucky, with Heidar Helguson looking to chip over a cross but finding the far left corner of Paul Robinson’s goal instead.
Blackburn’s equaliser eight minutes later was certainly deliberate, with Christopher Samba netting with a powerful header from Jason Lowe’s corner.
Stokewere 2-0 winners over Fulhamat the Britannia Stadium, after a late flurry of activity.
John Arne Riise hit the crossbar for Fulham from 25 yards after a free-kick routine, but a minute later, in the 79th minute, Stoke went in front when Jon Walters applied a close-range sidefooted finish after Matthew Etherington fired the ball through a thicket of players.
Rory Delap made sure of the points with an 87th-minute header from Et
rington’s cross.
Boltonended a run of six league defeats with a 3-1 win away against neighbours Wigan, capped by a fine late solo strike from Chris Eagles.
Nigel Reo-Coker poached a fourth-minute opener for Bolton, before Wigan hit back in the 40th minute with a 25-yard drive from Mohamed Diame.
Bolton inched 2-1 in front in first-half stoppage-time when Kevin Davies pinched the ball from defender Steve Gohouri and passed to David Ngog who fired into the bottom left corner.
Davies missed a penalty after a foul by Gary Caldwell on Dedryck Boyata, but Eagles put the seal on the win in the dying moments after scything through the home defence.
