Manchester City edged Queens Park Rangers 3-1 in a scoreline that barely hinted at the champions' dominance.
Yaya Toure opened the scoring in the first half, making no mistake from close range after getting on the end of a Carlos Tevez flick.
City wasted numerous chances to double their advantage, with David Silva and Edin Dzeko forcing saves from Hoops keeper Robert Green.
Rangers struggled to gain possession but found an unlikely equaliser on 58 minutes. Andy Johnson unleashed a fierce drive which forced Joe Hart to make the save, but he could only parry into the path of Bobby Zamora, who nodded home to make it 1-1.
QPR were only level for a matter of minutes as City quickly re-took the lead. Tevez found space in the box and chipped a cross onto the head of an unmarked Dzeko, who duly converted from six yards.
City finally finished the job in injury time, when Tevez turned home a shot from Dzeko to earn the champions breathing space, and more importantly all three points.
Liam Power
