EPL: West Brom 2-3 Manchester City

Man City grabbed three points at The Hawthorns

Manchester City claimed a 3-2 victory at West Brom to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Albion boss Tony Pulis drafted in Allan Nyom and Gareth McAuley for Craig Dawson and Nacer Chadli while the Citizens opted to leave Sergio Aguero on the bench, with Gabriel Jesus handed a starting role in attack.

Fabian Delph drove a 25-yard effort well wide of target three minutes in as the visitors dominated the early possession before Leroy Sane saw an effort blocked as he powered into the area.

The Citizens were rewarded for their efforts ten minutes in when Sane found space on the left side of the area and smashed his left-foot shot past a static Ben Foster to break the deadlock.

Foster had to get down to his left to grab a David Silva effort before Albion found an equaliser as Gareth Barry lifted the ball forward and Jay Rodriguez pounced to beat the advancing Ederson.

However, City were soon back in front as Sane fed Fernandinho and his deflected effort trickled into the corner of the net, with Foster stranded.

David Silva headed over when he should have done better with 26 minutes on the clock while at the other end Salomon Rondon did likewise from a ball in from the right from Rodriguez.

Soon after the restart Grzegorz Krychowiak placed a header far too close to Ederson as he met a deep Nyom cross from the right.

Kevin De Bruyne lifted a shot over the crossbar as City pressed again and they collected their third goal with 64 minutes played after Kyle Walker crossed from the right and sub Raheem Sterling stroked the ball home.

Jesus mis-controlled after being played clean through on goal while Foster made a fine late save to deny Silva what would have been a deserved goal.

In stoppage time Nicolas Otamendi attempted to chest the ball back to his keeper and allowed Matt Phillips to poke the ball home, but City held on to secure all three points.