A first-half strike from Edin Dzeko was enough for Manchester City to take all three points against West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League this evening.
© PA Photos
The visitors made a strong start to the match, with Romelu Lukaku having several early attempts at the City goal.
However, Boaz Myhill almost gifted the home side the lead in the 21st minute when he failed to collect a dangerous cross, allowing Jack Rodwell to take a close-range effort, but his strike went well high.
Roberto Mancini's side continued to gain confidence as the first half went on, with Carlos Tevez striking the crossbar and James Milner spurning an effort from deep inside the penalty area.
Dzeko fired City ahead in the 35th minute after Tevez picked the Bosnian out on the edge of the box, allowing him to find the top corner of the net with a volley.
The hosts had several chances to double their lead before the half-time interval, as Dzeko forced the Baggies to concede a corner before Milner was denied by the post; Rodwell saw two efforts blocked.
West Brom started the second half brightly, resulting in Markus Rosenberg rattling the crossbar three minutes after the restart, while a Billy Jones header forced a save from Joe Hart.
Once again Mancini's side gradually found their way back into the match, with Rodwell and Milner both testing Myhill, but the West Brom keeper was able to keep the deficit to just one goal.
Another strong spell for the visitors saw Hart prevent a Rosenberg equaliser, before substitute Peter Odemwingie won a corner with a 30-yard strike.
City looked to finish the game off inside the final 10 minutes, as Dzeko had a close-range effort blocked before Maicon blasted a Milner cross high and wide of the net, while Gareth Barry also called Myhill into action late on, but the hosts could not find a second goal.
Sian Cowper
