Manchester, England – Manchester City bounced back from 0 win over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, and James Milner each scored to see City pull three points ahead of Manchester United at the top of the table. The Red Devils, with a game now in hand, are set to kick off at Newcastle United on Wednesday for chance to stay level with the Citizens.
Liverpool nearly grabbed hold of the lead in the eighth minute when Stewart Downing latched onto a through ball to break free on goal, but Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart produced a fine save on the breakaway before the ball was cleared to safety.
The Reds were left to rue that miss as a costly mistake from Liverpool 'keeper Pepe Reina gifted the home side the lead three minutes later.
The Citizens forced a turnover in the offensive end and Aguero collected the ball just outside the box. He unleashed a shot an arm's length away from Reina, but it dipped right underneath the Spanish stopper's body and trickled into the back of the net.
Manchester City built upon that lead in the 33rd minute as Toure was first to meet a corner kick, beating Glen Johnson to the ball and nodding it past Reina to secure a two-goal advantage.
Liverpool was handed a lifeline in the 73rd minute when Gareth Barry was dismissed after picking up his second yellow card, but Manchester City quickly spurned hopes of a comeback.
Martin Skrtel tripped Toure in the box and Milner stepped up to convert the ensuing penalty kick, effectively putting the game out of reach with 15 minutes remaining.
The loss snaps a four-game unbeaten streak in Premier League play for Liverpool. The Reds remain in sixth place on 34 points.
Tottenham 1, West Bromwich 0
London, England - Tottenham kept pace with Manchester City at the top of the table, defeating West Bromwich, 1-0, at White Hart Lane on Tuesday to remain in a favorable position for the title race.
Spurs, with 42 points, trail the leading Citizens in England's top flight by six points but still hold a game in hand. They can move to within three points of the top with a win over Everton next week.
Jermain Defoe scored the telling in the 63rd minute, collecting a centering pass from Gareth Bale with his back goal. The English striker turned and fired a shot past Ben Foster and into the back of the net.
West Bromwich has lost two straight and sits sixth from bottom with 22 points, seven points above the relegation zone.
Sunderland 4, Wigan 1
Wigan, England - Sunderland has made it four wins in six matches under manager Martin O'Neill, as the Black Cats cruised to a comfortable 4-1 defeat of Wigan at the DW Stadium on Tuesday.
Craig Gardner put Sunderland in front just before the halftime whistle, while James McClean, Stephane Sessegnon, and David Vaughan added second-half goals en route to the win. Hugo Rodallega scored the lone goal for Wigan, his first of the season.
Wigan remains in the relegation zone with 15 points from 20 games, while Sunderland pulls into the top half of the table on 24 points.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.