Soccer: City move clear at top to put heat on United

Simon Adams. Photo / Richard Robinson

Manchester City opened up a five-point lead at the top of the English Premier League with victory over Blackburn yesterday as Chelsea beat Bolton to ease the pressure on manager Andre Villas-Boas.

With second-placed Manchester United not playing until this morning's trip to Norwich, City took full advantage of the opportunity to crank up the pressure on their cross-town rivals by taking all three points at Eastlands.

Goals from Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero and substitute Edin Dzeko sealed a 3-0 win for Roberto Mancini's side, who extended their 100 per cent record at home this season to 13 matches. The win was also City's fifth straight victory this month.

"I think we've had a good February - but we now need to have a good March, April and May if we want to win the title," Mancini said.

"It was a hard game. It was difficult. Blackburn play with 10 players behind the ball and if you don't score you have a problem."

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Villas-Boas breathed a sigh of relief after watching his team down struggling Bolton 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Second-half goals from David Luiz, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard gave Villas-Boas something to smile about after a difficult week which pushed the Blues to the brink of elimination from the Champions League.

The victory - Chelsea's first in five league matches - moved Villas-Boas' side back into the Champions League qualification places, three points ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal, who face Tottenham overnight.

"It was important to win after all the recent disappointments. We have been trying so hard and today we managed to do a great, great game," Villas-Boas said.

"We managed to find the efficiency in front of goal that we haven't had in the last few games and we are back on track in the league."

After a poor first-half display, Chelsea's nerves were settled moments after halftime when Luiz shot the Blues ahead.

Caretaker Wolves manager Terry Connor saw his relegation-threatened side produce a stirring fightback to grab a share of the points against high-flying Newcastle at St James Park.

Connor said he had always believed in his team's spirit despite trailing 2-0 at the break.

"I know what the dressing room is like and I know how they react in adversity when things don't go quite their way," Connor said.

The hard-earned point was enough to lift Wolves out of the relegation zone at the expense of Blackburn.

Queens Park Rangers' dismal run of form continued as Fulham completed a season double with a 1-0 win at Loftus Road.

Fulham's winner came courtesy of Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, while Rangers' Malian midfielder Samba Diakite was sent off on his debut for a second yellow card after a clumsy lunge on Bryan Ruiz.

West Bromwich Albion brought Sunderland's run of good form to a shuddering halt after romping to a 4-0 win at the Hawthorns.

Peter Odemwingie bagged a brace while James Morrison and Keith Andrews grabbed one each as the Baggies ran riot to leave Martin O'Neill's side reflecting on their worst defeat of the season.

Elsewhere, bottom club Wigan battled to a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa at the DW Stadium.

- AAP