Man City back on top after win at Villa; WBA hit five

By Ben James Feb 12, 2012, 19:00 GMT

London - Manchester City moved back above Manchester United at the top of the Premier League on Sunday thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win at Aston Villa.

Joleon Lescott hooked in the only goal of the game 18 minutes into the second half but City needed a brilliant late save by Joe Hart to secure all three points.

The win moved Roberto Mancini's side back two points clear at the top while Villa dropped to 15th, seven points above the relegation zone.

'We were there (at the top) from August because we deserved this,' Mancini said. 'It was a difficult game but the guys played fantastic football.'

Carlos Cuellar headed a great chance to equalize for Villa over the bar but Darren Bent thought he had pinched a point from close range only for Hart to put out a strong hand to stop him.

Villa's game plan was clear from the start as they packed their defence and midfield, trying to stifle a City side that included David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Adam Johnson.

And in the first half, their plan worked with City, who had lost three of their previous seven games, visibly frustrated.

But everything changed 18 minutes into the second half when defender Lescott showed skills more akin to a centre forward as he hooked the ball in after a corner from James Milner.

With Villa deflated, City looked to be cruising to victory but in the final 10 minutes, the home side threw everything at their visitors and it almost paid off.

First Cuellar should have done better than head over the bar and then Bent found himself in space in the area only for Hart to show why he is England's No 1 goalkeeper with a stunning save.

City goalkeeper Joe Hart made some crucial saves late on to preserve the Blues' lead but Mancini insists he is not the best in the world - yet.

'He's very young and there are other keepers with more experience,' Mancini said. 'He has many years in front but he could become one of the top keepers.'

In the day's other match, Peter Odemwingie scored a hat-trick as West Bromwich Albion clinched a shock 5-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Jonas Olsson and Keith Andrews scored the other two goals as West Brom moved above Villa into 14th, while Wolves dropped into the bottom three on goal difference.

And Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said he could only apologize to the club's fans for the manner of their performance.

'I would think it was one of the most disappointing afternoons of my career,' McCarthy said.

'I apologize for the performance and I've never done that before. But the way we capitulated in the last half-hour is not associated with my teams.

'I've not got a message for the fans. I've apologised. That is all I can do. That's how badly I feel about it.'

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson said McCarthy should be given credit for the job he has already done at Wolves.

'I think Wolves will stay up if they keep their heads because they have an outstanding manager and an outstanding owner as well,' he said.

'I think he's done an excellent job and continues to do an excellent job. I 'm always saddened that those jobs don't always get recognised.'

But Hodgson was also delighted with Odenwingie's performance. 'Peter's season's been a bit stop-start and that's not good for any player,' he said.

'Why he's doing so much better now is because he's training every day, he's playing every weekend, he's getting into a rhythm that every player needs.'