Manchester City are going to be top of the table at Christmas after their 3-0 win over Stoke City. Tony Pulis' side predictably parked the bus in front of their own goal away from home and found some early success, but their strategy eventually backfired. City found their opening goal on a set piece, of all means to score a goal against Stoke, and went on to win a simple three points.
Manchester City Vs. Stoke City, 2011 Premier League: Citizens Coast To Three Points, Go Top At Christmas
Sergio Aguero scored the opener, the first of two tap-in goals scored by the Argentinian international. Following a corner kick, Vincent Kompany put a ball across the box that could have been a shot or a pass. In any event, it evaded Thomas Sorensen and Aguero stayed just barely onside to tap in a goal in the 29th minute.
City would double their lead seven minutes later in slightly more impressive fashion. From 30 yards out, Adam Johnson took a rip and beat Sorensen at his near post. His shot took a slight deflection, but it did very little to alter the path of the shot, which was likely to hit the back of the net anyway. The two teams headed to halftime with City up 2-0, and it didn't take long for City to add to their lead. Samir Nasri assisted Aguero's second in the 54th minute, and City let up on the gas after that to coast to a 3-0 win.
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