Apr 23, 2016 at 12.45pm UK at ​Etihad Stadium
Man CityManchester City
4-0
StokeStoke City
Fernando (35'), Aguero (43' pen.), Iheanacho (64', 74')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Result: Manchester City hit four past Stoke City to regain third spot

Manchester City regain third place in the Premier League table with a 4-0 victory over Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City have strolled to a 4-0 victory over Stoke City to regain third position in the Premier League table.

Phil Bardsley and David Silva in action during the Premier League game between Manchester City and Stoke City on April 23, 2016© Getty Images

The first opportunity of the game fell to Kelechi Iheanacho but after the young forward curled just wide of the post from 20 yards, Stoke came into the game and could have opened the scoring through Ryan Shawcross who dragged his half-volley wide of the post.

Giannelli Imbula and Joselu also failed to hit the target as Stoke pressed forward but 10 minutes before the break, it was City who went ahead through Fernando.

Fernando scores the opener during the Premier League game between Manchester City and Stoke City on April 23, 2016© Getty Images

The midfielder managed to connect with Jesus Navas's outswinging corner towards the near post and he left Shay Given with no chance after glancing the ball into the far corner.

Stoke needed to reach half time facing just the one-goal deficit but with two minutes remaining, Shawcross pulled back Iheanacho inside the penalty area and Sergio Aguero made no mistake from the spot.

Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring from the spot during the Premier League game between Manchester City and Stoke City on April 23, 2016© AFP

The visitors began the second half on the front foot and should have pulled a goal back through Joselu but after the striker met a cross from Arnautovic, his shot went over the crossbar from 12 yards.

Mame Biram Diouf sent a header wide before Arnautovic forced a save out of Joe Hart after cutting inside from the left, but shortly after the hour mark, City extended their lead when Iheanacho converted from 10 yards after being found by Pablo Zabaleta.

Kelechi Iheanacho scores the fourth during the Premier League game between Manchester City and Stoke City on April 23, 2016© AFP

It took just 10 minutes for the Nigerian attacker to net his second when he burst clear of the Stoke defence before rounding substitute goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard and tapping into an empty net.

The result was wrapped up long before the full-time whistle but City were dealt a problem during the closing stages when Yaya Toure sustained a thigh injury, and although he finished the match, he will be a doubt for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

Sandro and 14-year-old Samir Nasri in action during the Premier League game between Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion on April 9, 2016
Read Next:
Pellegrini defends Nasri CL exclusion
>
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeicester CityLeicester362211364343077
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs361913467283970
3Arsenal361910759342567
4Manchester CityMan City361971068383064
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd35179943311260
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham351514660431759
7Southampton361691153391457
8Liverpool3515101059481155
9Chelsea351212115548748
10Stoke CityStoke36139143852-1448
11Everton351014115549644
12Watford35128153642-644
13Swansea CitySwansea361110153750-1343
14West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom361011153246-1441
15Bournemouth36118174363-2041
16Crystal Palace36109173646-1039
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3689193964-2533
18Sunderland35711174058-1832
19Norwich CityNorwich3587203561-2631
RAston Villa3637262772-4516