ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Manchester City cut Manchester United's lead to four points by beating Fulham 2-0 on Saturday night (AEDT) thanks to a brace of goals from Spanish midfielder David Silva.
United was not in action until last night when it was due to visit Tottenham Hotspur and defending champion City took advantage to breathe fresh impetus into its title defence.
Silva broke the deadlock after just 96 seconds at the Etihad Stadium, slamming home from 5.4m after Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer parried a long-range shot from Edin Dzeko.
Steve Sidwell hit the post for the visitors in the 31st minute and City lost Pablo Zabaleta to injury before Silva added a second with 21 minutes left, gathering a Carlos Tevez flick and beating Schwarzer with a dinked finish.
"All we can do is win our games," said City assistant manager David Platt.
"We have got 15 left and Man United have got 16 left and I am sure both teams will drop points between now and the end of the season.
"We have to make sure we keep getting victories so if United do slip up we are in a position to take advantage of that."
Meanwhile, Luis Suarez's burgeoning partnership with new Liverpool teammate Daniel Sturridge caught the eye as the Reds routed Norwich City 5-0 at Anfield to close to within three points of the European places.
Jordan Henderson broke the deadlock with a vicious 26th-minute half-volley before home debutant Sturridge's clever dummy freed Suarez to beat Mark Bunn for his seventh goal in three games against the Canaries.
Sturridge tapped in his third goal in three games for his new club in the 59th minute, with Steven Gerrard getting in on the act from 23m before Norwich's Ryan Bennett put through his own goal (74th min).
"We have played well for most of the season, but Daniel coming in adds that extra threat," said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. "He has pace and power and has got good touch and skills."
Aston Villa climbed out of the relegation zone despite letting a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw at local rival West Bromwich Albion.
Fine goals from Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor put Paul Lambert's men 2-0 ahead at the break, but Chris Brunt replied early in the second half before Peter Odemwingie lashed home an 83rd-minute equaliser.
Villa's draw meant Reading remained in the relegation zone despite seeing Adam Le Fondre score twice in six minutes as it came from behind once again to win 2-1 at Newcastle United.
Yohan Cabaye's picture-perfect free-kick put Newcastle in front 10 minutes prior to the interval but Le Fondre equalised 65 seconds after coming on as a 70th-minute substitute and then curled in a 77th-minute winner.
"The win can be a massive springboard for us," said Le Fondre.
It was Reading's second improbable comeback in two games following its dramatic 3-2 success over West Brom last weekend, and it means that Newcastle remains two points above the bottom three.
Joe Cole scored the first goal of his second spell at West Ham United to prevent former boss Harry Redknapp from enjoying victory on his return to Upton Park with Queens Park Rangers.
Sunderland continued its recent revival by coming back from a goal down to win 3-2 at Wigan Athletic, which slipped into the drop zone.
AFP
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