Premier League: Manchester City 3 Blackburn 0

Manchester City moved five points clear at the top of the table after a convincing 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Etihad Stadium.

Mario Balotelli opened the scoring for the hosts before Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko completed the victory.

City started brightly and nearly took the lead after a fine move down the right hand side which led to Pablo Zabaleta crossing for Mario Balotelli, who was denied by a fantastic save down low by Paul Robinson in the opening minute.

The visitors struggled to gain any period of sustained possession in the first 20 minutes as the home side dominated possession but struggled to create any clear-cut chances.

City’s dominance eventually brought about another effort on goal as Adam Johnson cut in from the right and saw a shot palmed out by Robinson.

The hosts were beginning to turn the screw and a Balotelli free kick again forced Robinson into a good save.

Eventually the Blackburn rearguard could not hold out any longer and a City counterattack saw Aleksander Kolarov fire across a ball to the front post for Balotelli to sweep home in the 30th minute.

With Blackburn failing to keep control of the ball chances continued to come for the home side with Pablo Zabaleta and Kolarov providing great outlets in wide positions.

Vincent Kompany’s exquisite flick-on from a corner nearly brought a second for City but Robinson again came to his side’s rescue before Yaya Toure diverted the rebound wide on the volley.

Moments later a long ball from Balotelli was set upon by Aguero who outmuscled Scott Dann but his left foot shot from a tight angle went just past the post.

City began the second half on the front foot much like they did the first, quickly doubling their lead. A corner whipped in fell for Aguero to smash the ball into the back of the net on the half volley.

The second goal appeared to kill the game as a contest as Rovers looked short of creativity in attack. City appeared very content with the two goal cushion and as the closing stages approached, the end result looked inevitable.

With the hosts comfortably cruising to another home victory the only concern for the home fans was seeing Yaya Toure struggling with an injury.

That worry was soon forgotten though as a stunning cross from Kolarov was met supremely by substitute Dzeko who headed the ball down low past Robinson for City’s third of the day.