Internet Desk : Sergio Aguero scored a brace as Manchester City dispatched Crystal Palace 4-0 in the English Premier League on Saturday.
City moved to provisional second, a point behind Leicester. But both could be overtaken by Arsenal, which was playing its 22nd-round match on Sunday at Stoke.
Fabian Delph and Aguero, gave City a 2-0 lead in the first half, relieving Pellegrini’s City’s goal-frustration after the scoreless draw with Everton on Wednesday. Aguero finished off a team goal for his second after more than an hour, and set up David Silva instead of going for his third goal.
Palace was without a win, or goal, in its last five league games, for the first time since 1988.
Delph’s opener came out of nowhere, his long-range shot too low for Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to keep out.
Aguero added the second just before the interval, needing a big deflection off Scott Dann’s head to deceive Hennessey.
De Bruyne has 11 assists to go with 11 goals in 29 matches in all competitions this season.
With time nearly up, City counterattacked and de Bruyne released Aguero from inside their half. He outpaced the defense to tee up an easy finish for Silva.
Champions Chelsea remain six points above the bottom three after interim manager Guus Hiddink avoided the first defeat of his second stint at the club by the narrowest of margins.
Everton went 2-0 up early in the second half as Terry scored an inelegant 50th-minute own goal and Kevin Mirallas followed up with a slick turn and shot, both goals created by Leighton Baines.
Cesc Fabregas brought Chelsea back into the game, freeing Diego Costa to round Tim Howard and reduce the arrears in the 64th minute before equalising with a deflected shot less than two minutes later.
After Costa had limped off injured, centre-back Ramiro Funes Mori put Everton ahead in the 91st minute from Gerard Deulofeu’s cross, only for Terry to flick home a last-gasp equaliser despite an apparent offside.
Tottenham Hotspur tasted victory in 2016 at the fourth attempt with a one-sided 4-1 home success over Sunderland in which Christian Eriksen scored twice.
Spurs, who occupy the fourth Champions League berth, opened up a five-point lead over Manchester United, who visit Liverpool on Sunday, and a four-point lead over West Ham United, who lost 2-1 at Newcastle United.