Three second-half goals ensured Manchester City climbed back into second place behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League after a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

City struggled to get going in the first half, with Villa having several chances to break the deadlock in the pouring Manchester rain.

However, the home side wasted no time after regrouping at the interval as Raheem Sterling latched on to a Gabriel Jesus flick before firing City in front 20 seconds into the second half with his 13th goal of the season.

Reuters reports that Jesus almost grabbed a quick-fire second but Tyrone Mings cleared off the line, before David Silva found the net in the 65th minute, getting the faintest of touches to a Kevin De Bruyne cross.

Five minutes later Ilkay Gundogan made sure of another three points for City after he reacted first to a blocked shot to scissor-kick his strike into the net.

The result sees City climb back above Leicester City — after their record-equalling 9-0 victory at Southampton on Friday — with 22 points. Liverpool, who host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, have 25.

The win, however, was tarnished by a late red card for Fernandinho.

Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic scored a hat trick to power Chelsea to a 4-2 win over Burnley.

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The win extended a seven-game winning run for Chelsea’s young squad and strengthened its hold on a Champions League spot in fourth.

 

See all results:

Manchester City 3- 0 Aston Villa

Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 Everton

Watford 0-0 AFC Bournemouth

West Ham United 1 – 1 Sheffield United

Burnley 2-4 Chelsea

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