West Brom 2 Man City 3: Aguero and Toure inhale Early absent triumph on Kompany's requite as City strain off strive back
Perhaps Jose Mourinho was right, after all.Chelsea’s boss said he was more worried about the imminent threat of Manchester City than current Premier League leaders Arsenal ahead of the latest round of Premier League fixtures.
But if it was a late, late show in the Black Country – due to traffic congestion on the M5 ensuring a 15-minute delay to the kick-off – there was little sign of any lethargy.
Win on the road: Manchester City impressed at The Hawthorns on Vincent Kompany's (third left) return
MATCH FACTS
Subs not used: Popov, Lugano, Daniels, Sessegnon
Goal: Pantilimon 85 (OG), Anichebe 90
Booked: Olsson
Subs not used: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Negredo, Rodwell
Goals: Aguero 9, Toure 24, 74
Booked: Pantilimon
Ref: Chris Foy 7
Att: 22,943
Man of the Match: Sergio Aguero
*Players ratings by Neil Moxley at The Hawthorns
It has hampered their progress and left them with some catching up to do on surprise leaders Arsenal.
And, should any neutral look at the scoreline and think this was anything less than a thoroughly proficient display, it has to be pointed out that Steve Clarke and his West Bromwich Albion team have discovered a way to garner points this season in unexpected places.
At Old Trafford, for instance. And at Stamford Bridge. And against Arsenal at The Hawthorns.
But there was finally a sign in Manuel Pellegrini’s men really meant business.
Perhaps it coincided with the return of Vincent Kompany to the starting line-up.
The Belgium central defender has long been considered a talismanic figure among a galaxy of stars. And, with him back in the ranks, there was little chance of Clarke’s team adding to their impressive list of scalps.
At the other end, of course, it helps when you have a player such as Sergio Aguero at the very height of his powers.
It has been suggested he is the third best player on the planet. With 17 goals in all competitions this season, that claim has to be given serious consideration.
And the crispness of the ninth-minute finish that set Manchester City on their way was a case in point.
The opener owed much to the tireless running of Pablo Zabaleta. A ball was played up to Edin Dzeko just inside West Brom’s penalty area.
Home centre half Jonas Olsson made the mistake of allowing the Bosnia striker to turn. That allowed him to wait until Zabaleta had galloped down the outside of Liam Ridgewell.
Prolific: Sergio Aguero (left) celebrates scoring City's opener with Pablo Zabaleta and Jesus Navas
Cultured finisher: Manchester City's Sergio Aguero (right) needed only nine minutes to give them the lead
Here's how Sergio Aguero gave Manchester City the lead –
The pullback to Aguero was swept home with the kind of confidence that befits a man who appears comfortable with every facet of his game.
Before the first quarter of the game was over, Yaya Toure had added a second. Again, it was a neatly-worked move.
This time it was Aleksandar Kolarov who provided the support from full back at just the right moment.
He overlapped on the left and again a centre arrived in just the right place for Toure to sidefoot past Boaz Myhill.
50/50: The world-class striker (left) vies for possession with West Bromwich Albion's Claudio Yacob
The second-half was more muted and, as the game entered its final 15 minutes, the game should have been wrapped up.
Kolarov burst into the area and cut across West Brom’s Claudio Yacob. The midfielder made the mistake of catching the Serbia full back and referee Chris Foy pointed to the spot.
Inspirational: The return of captain Vincent Kompany (left) will do much to strengthen City's title hopes
Midfield battle: Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho (right) vies for possession with Chris Brunt
Doubling up: The powerful Yaya Toure (right) shapes up to shoot and score City's second goal
Surprise fan: Retired Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic was present at The Hawthorns
Multi-talented: The Croatian got to his first ever home game after following West Brm for 18 years
There have been plenty of contentious penalty incidents involving Clarke’s side this season, but that was not one of them.
Toure sidefooted home and a comprehensive victory appeared to have been registered. A warning, if you like.
But if there was a warning, it came in the final 10 minutes. Kolarov poked the ball towards his own goal after substitute Matej Vydra crossed from the left, the ball entering the net off the back of Costel Pantilimon.
And in the last seconds Victor Anichebe claimed his first goal for West Brom after turning on the edge of the area. It was too little too late for the hosts.
For Manchester City and Pellegrini it was, as Mourinho might have acknowledged perhaps a sign of things to come.
Toure sidefooted home and a comprehensive victory appeared to have been registered. A warning, if you like.
But if there was a warning, it came in the final 10 minutes. Kolarov poked the ball towards his own goal after substitute Matej Vydra crossed from the left, the ball entering the net off the back of Costel Pantilimon.
And in the last seconds Victor Anichebe claimed his first goal for West Brom after turning on the edge of the area. It was too little too late for the hosts.
For Manchester City and Pellegrini it was, as Mourinho might have acknowledged perhaps a sign of things to come.
Brought to his knees: West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill could do little to stop Yaya Toure's first goal
Time to celebrate: Yaya Toure runs off to mark his 24th-minute goal as City take control
Rough challenge: But even James Morrison's (right) tenacity could do little to hold Manchester City back
Helpless: West Brom's in-form Shane Long could do little to hide his frustration as his side fell to defeat
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