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The relentless Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League after beating West Brom 5-0.
Fit Ilkay Gundogan scored twice, while Joao Cancelo, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling also scored in the Hawthorns’ loss.
FULL MATCH DETAILS
City overtook Manchester United, who can regain top spot by beating Sheffield United on Wednesday, after their 11th consecutive win in all competitions.
It’s their longest winning streak in more than three years and they sent an ominous message to their title rivals: move seven points away from Liverpool and do light work with Kevin De Bruyne’s forced absence due to injuries.
In contrast, the Baggies have now lost their last five home games in the top flight, their worst streak at The Hawthorns in the Premier League in 17 years, while conceding 22 goals in the process.
Albion remains on the second floor and six points from safety with Sam Allardyce yet to see his team score at home, having overseen a 0-17 scoreline in those four games.
In fact, they started well enough before Phil Foden, making his 100th appearance for City, forced Sam Johnstone to swing his low shot towards the post after a short break.
It was the early warning before City took the lead after six minutes thanks to Gundogan’s sixth goal in 10 games.
The midfielder deftly picked up the pass in search of Cancelo and spun around before making a big push into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
It was the signal for City to take control and Cancelo and Mahrez fired.
Albion had to keep his nerves, but controversially fell 2-0 after 20 minutes.
Bernardo Silva placed Cancelo, but he had been flagged offside, and some of the home defense stopped before Cancelo huddled in the top corner from 18 yards.
A lengthy VAR check showed Darnell Furlong had played Silva on the flank, but assistant referee Sian Massey-Ellis had incorrectly flagged early to leave Albion furious.
However, there was no turning back for the Baggies and City went to the kill to make it 3-0 after half an hour.
Albion owned their downfall as they failed to clear and Gundogan stole Romaine Sawyers at the edge of the area before converting Republic of Ireland defender Dara O’Shea and shooting Johnstone.
Effortless City had barely broken a sweat and continued to put the sad Albion on the sword with a quarter in injury time of the first half.
Sterling chose Mahrez in the area and was allowed to check inside before moving on to Johnstone.
City’s dominance continued after the break, with Rodri’s 25-yard shot cutting the crossbar and a fifth goal came in the 57th minute.
This time, Mahrez returned the favor to Sterling, directing Rodri’s high pass for the England forward to score his ninth goal of the season from close range.
City continued to play with their hosts but couldn’t find another target, with Johnstone meeting from Cancelo in stoppage time.
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