Premier League: Wolves 0 Manchester City 2

22 April 2012 19:18

Manchester City kept their title hopes alive as they saw off a brave Wolves at Molineux, condemning Terry Connor's side to relegation.

Sergio Aguero gave City the lead with a cool finish in the first half, before Samir Nasri put the result beyond doubt, slotting home a second with just over 15 minutes remaining.

The win moves City to within three points of United and means the top-two clash next Monday at the Etihad Stadium is shaping up to be the decisive moment in the title race.

Meanwhile, another defeat for Terry Connor's men means they will be playing Championship football next season.

Wolves impressed early on, but it was City who had the first real opening. Gael Clichy played a chipped through ball to Aguero down the channel, and the striker fired a left-footed effort inches wide of the far post.

The hosts continued to try to match City's high intensity, and when the ball fell to Stephen Fletcher in the box he laid back to David Davis, who unleashed a rasping strike from 20 yards which brought a stunning save from Joe Hart.

City were always threatening in possession, however, and on 15 minutes Pablo Zabaleta slotted a fine pass through for Nasri to latch on to, but the France international's rolled effort ran agonisingly wide.

After another Aguero effort rolled wide, De Vries did well to rush off his line as he smothered a David Silva through ball, with Tevez bearing down.

But the endless barrage of through-balls finally took its toll on the Wolves defence after 26 minutes. Clichy spotted Aguero and played an excellent pass to the 23-year-old, who showed real composure to take a touch and stab the ball low past De Vries.

The hosts came out fighting at the start of the second half, enjoying an early spell of possession. Matt Jarvis made a bursting run down the left but couldn’t get a cross away, and Zabaleta did well to recover and clear the ball.

Hart was then called into action for only the second time in the match, stretching to parry the ball after Fletcher did well to win a high ball in the area and steer a header towards the far post.

City finally doubled their lead with 17 minutes to go. A quick free-kick was worked to Tevez, who played a magnificent pass to Nasri, and the French international had plenty of time to take a touch and place the ball low into the far corner.

Substitute Michael Johnson then nearly made it three for City, taking a touch on the edge of the box before firing a shot which forced a fine save from De Vries.

Aguero wasted another chance after being put through for a one-on-one, but the diminutive striker completely scuffed his effort, much to the fury of Mancini who knows that goal difference could play a factor come the end of the season.