Manchester City hosted West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Monday night as they looked to keep their title hopes alive.
The hosts made the perfect start at the Etihad Stadium as goals from Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero handed them a two-goal advantage inside 10 minutes.
Graham Dorrans pulled one back in the 16th minute, but City completed a 3-1 victory before the interval when Martin Demichelis tapped in from close range.
Read below to find out how City kept the pressure on Liverpool.
Good evening. Nine matches of Premier League football have been played over the weekend, but we've got one more match for you tonight. Manchester City host West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium, and it's a big night for both teams.
Liverpool will be watching this game very closely. They currently lead the Premier League, and are nine points ahead of City, who have two games in hand. Manuel Pellegrini's side simply cannot afford to drop any points this evening as they look to keep their title hopes alive.
At the opposite end of the table, it could be a very important night for a number of teams. West Brom, who are currently 16th, will go six points clear of the bottom three if they manage to collect all of the points this evening. Pepe Mel might just feel that safety is around the corner if they can record a win.
MAN CITY: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Garcia, Fernandinho, Nasri, Silva, Dzeko, Aguero
SUBSTITUTES: Pantilimon, Lescott, Richards, Kolarov, Milner, Negredo, Jovetic
WEST BROM: Foster, Dawson, Olsson, Ridgewell, Jones, Amalfitano, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Brunt, Sessegnon, Vydra
SUBSTITUTES: Myhill, Morrison, Anichebe, Yacob, Lugano, Berahino, Reid
Pellegrini makes three changes to the side which drew with Sunderland 2-2 on Wednesday night. Gael Clichy returns at left back, while David Silva is back to provide City with some much-needed creativity. In attack, Alvaro Negredo is replaced by Edin Dzeko.
The Baggies make just two changes for the trip to the Etihad as Craig Dawson and Billy Jones replace Jonas Olsson and Steven Reid and Gareth McAuley. Matej Vydra is trusted to lead the line for the visitors.
Interesting to see Mel play with his defence ahead of this match. Despite giving Tottenham Hotspur in the 3-3 draw just over a week ago, their defending cost them what would have been a priceless victory. It's always a huge test for visiting sides at the Etihad. Will his tinkering make the difference?
West Brom would take such a big boost if they can come out of this game with a positive result. The Baggies will be confident of avoiding relegation with five games left, but a win or draw tonight would improve morale ahead of some must-win fixtures.
There was another twist in the title race this weekend as Chelsea lost to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge. Man City will be just one point behind Jose Mourinho's side if they win tonight. Liverpool are nine points clear of Pellegrini's team, but you must not rule out a late charge. However, a loss this evening might put City's hopes to bed.
Mel told West Brom's officla website that he plans to instruct his players to be positive tonight: "The most important thing is for City to think they could well win the game and this is why we have to cause them some defensive problems. This is why the players must really believe that we can win. Of course, playing against players like Silva, Dzeko, Nasri, Navas and Negredo, we must also be strong defensively."
After the frustrating draw with Sunderland, Pellegrini had suggested that his players were struggling to get over the 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. Usually such a confident, attacking side in front of their own supporters, the Chilean will be desperate for his side to respond.
The West Brom side are the first out and make their way on to the pitch. #cityvwestbrom pic.twitter.com/eT971JQDDN
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) April 21, 2014
There's no doubt that this is a must-win game for the hosts. They need their big players to step up tonight, especially with the influential Yaya Toure watching on from the sidelines. Sergio Aguero has been frustrated by injuries this season, but this could be a match where we see just how important he is to City.
PREDICTION: It's time for me to have a guess at what the score will be tonight. City will be desperate to get over a couple of disappointing results, and I think that could be bad news for the Baggies. 3-1 to the hosts.
When these two sides last met, the fans at the Hawthorns were treated to a thriller as City recorded a 3-2 victory over the Baggies. Toure scored twice in that game. How much will he be missed tonight? It means that Pellegrini's side lack a driving force in midfield, and the pressure is on Fernandinho to dominate the game.
Four of West Brom's last seven league goals have come inside the first 10 minutes of the game. So, City will be expecting the visitors to start quickly, but it will be at the other end where the Baggies have to be at their best. City have failed to score at home just once in their previous 66 league games.
As off-field matters dominate the headlines at Old Trafford, Manchester United's rivals look to get things back on track on the pitch against a relegation-threatened West Brom side. Kickoff is just over five minutes away. Phil Dowd is the man in charge tonight.
The players are out on the pitch now. Great support, as usual, from the home supporters. Everyone knows just how crucial tonight is for both sides.
Here we go then. West Brom will get the game started.
City are on the front foot immediately as West Brom are forced to clear a dangerous delivery from Clichy to safety.
Dzeko has started well, and he almost creates a chance for himself after turning Mulumbu 25 yards from goal. The Bosnian is in space, but the shot that follows is blocked.
GOAL! MAN CITY 1-0 WEST BROM (ZABALETA)
City lead! It's poor from West Brom at the back as they fail to get close to the attacking players in an extended spell of pressure from the hosts. The ball drops to Aguero inside the box, but the forward's powerful shot is stopped by Foster. However, he fails to push the ball to safety, allowing Zabaleta to add the finishing touch with a header from close range.
CHANCE! Mulumbu loses possession, before appealing unsuccessfully for a free kick. The ball breaks loose for Nasri, who plays in Aguero, but the Argentine cannot keep his half volley down.
The Baggies are agonisingly close to drawing level at the other end as Sessegnon releases Jones, whose cross is tapped in at the far post. Unfortunately for the visitors, the flag had already been raised for offside.
West Brom clear a corner as City apply the pressure again. Replays show that Olsson was holding back Dzeko, but the referee didn't see the incident. That's a risky game for the Baggies defender to be playing.
GOAL! MAN CITY 2-0 WEST BROM (AGUERO)
Aguero doubles his team's lead with a superb strike! The Argentine's pass to Silva is blocked, but he responds magnificently by picking up the loose ball and curling the ball past Foster from 25 yards. It could be a long night for West Brom.
SHOT! It's all happening at the Etihad as Sessegnon comes close to pulling a goal back with a long-range effort which just drifts past the top corner.
Silva is finding space easily early in the game as he plays a perfect pass for Dzeko, who ignores Aguero in the middle before firing wide from a tight angle.
Mulumbu is lucky to escape a yellow card when he trips Nasri 30 yards from goal. City decide against shooting from the free kick, and the move breaks down.
GOAL! MAN CITY 2-1 WEST BROM (DORRANS)
Pellegrini will be furious as his side concede just moments after wasting a free kick. West Brom break in numbers, and the ball finds Dorrans, whose control is superb. The midfielder nudges the ball past Clichy, before beating Hart with a superb strike. It's a lovely goal. What a start to this match!
YELLOW CARD! Phil Dowd uses his cards for the first time tonight as he cautions Dawson for chopping down Dzeko. Silly foul to give away.
Silva starts a promising move with an excellent pass to Dzeko. The striker manages to return the ball to the Spaniard, who is unable to find a teammate after turning a couple of West Brom defenders on the edge of the box.
YELLOW CARD! Sessegnon's pace and skill is a concern for City as he breezes past Demichelis before inviting a challenge which sees the defender booked. Hart spills the free kick which follows, but an offside call spares the goalkeeper further embarrassment.
City are dominating possession, but that strike from Dorrans has certainly changed the mood inside the ground. West Brom are trying to be positive, and the home defence have looked nervous at times.
Mulumbu's difficult start to the match continues as he gives the ball away on the edge of his own box. Nasri is picked out on the right, before bursting into the box and firing a cross out of play.
Zabaleta has already played a key role tonight, but City need their full backs to get involved even more. They've played quite narrow so far, and must get Clichy and Zabaleta forward whenever possible.
Much better pressing from the Baggies as they make it difficult for City's midfielders to move the ball forward. Since that terrible start, Mel's side have looked capable of frustrating the hosts.
West Brom are being pushed back by an extended spell of possession from City, but a congested penalty area is causing problems for Silva, who is looking to unlock the defence with a series of passes. The Baggies need to make sure they don't concede again before the break.
Ridgewell collects the ball in space, and looks to play in Vydra. However, Kompany is aware of the threat as he slides across to make a crucial interception, before beginning another attack for his side.
GOAL! MAN CITY 3-1 WEST BROM (DEMICHELIS)
Poor goal to concede for West Brom, but the hosts won't mind at all. Ridgewell loses his concentration as he watches a corner come into the box. Demichelis takes advantage of his marker's mistake to tap in at the back post. Can the Baggies respond again?
City are back on the front foot immediately. West Brom are giving the ball away far too often, which is allowing City's midfield to push even further forward. They have to shut up shop for the next seven minutes.
Dzeko links well with Fernandinho, who is being given the freedom to go forward from midfield, but the Bosnian's weak effort from distance doesn't cause Foster a problem.
Brunt hugs the touchline to set up a good chance for his team, but he fails to pick out any of his teammates inside the box as a wayward cross floats out of play.
A promising move for the hosts comes to an end when Dzeko's poor delivery is easily cleared. We've seen the striker drop deep on more than one occasion, but I think Pellegrini would prefer him to leave that side of the game to his more creative colleagues.
Superb defending. Kompany makes sure his side do not fall further behind as he dives in the way of Sessegnon's strike from inside the box. Excellent from the City skipper.
The fourth official confirms that there will be two minutes added on just moments after Garcia gifts a free kick to the visitors in a promising position.
It's no surprise to see Brunt unleash a shot from the free kick, but his long-range effort was never troubling Hart.
HALF TIME: MAN CITY 3-1 WEST BROM
An entertaining first half comes to an end at the Etihad Stadium. City were in full control after Zabaleta and Aguero both found the net inside the opening 10 minutes. Dorrans pulled one back for the Baggies with a superb finish, but some poor marking allowed Demichelis to restore his side's two-goal advantage.
A trio of Argentines have made the difference for the hosts, who will still want to extend their lead further to make sure that West Brom can't force a dramatic fightback. Pellegrini's side have looked nervous at the back at times, but they've still got some gears to move through after the break.
City's third goal was very important in the first half. West Brom were growing in confidence after Dorrans reduced the deficit, but Ridgewell's mistake was unforgiveable. When you need points at this stage of the season, you can't afford to make errors like that.
West Brom have to come out firing at the start of the second half. There will be nerves inside the ground if the Baggies can make it 3-2. City are on the verge of staying in the title race. Anything other than a victory won't be acceptable from this position.
Both sets of players are back out on the pitch. City will get the second half underway.
City seem to be happy to just keep the ball at the start of the second half. Time is on their side, and the Baggies are being forced to chase shadows at the moment.
West Brom win the ball before attacking in numbers, but Ridgewell is slightly over-eager to get involved and the flag is raised for offside.
City stay patient as they look to break down the Baggies. Nasri's superb cross into the box is well cleared, before a Zabaleta effort is deflected wide. West Brom manage to survive, but they can't break.
Amalfitano hasn't had a great night, and he frustrates his teammates even further by delivering a poor cross straight into Hart's hands. The visitors may benefit from introducing some pace off the bench soon.
Aguero is roaming around the pitch in an attempt to find space, but due to Dzeko's eagerness to do the same, City are lacking a presence in the centre of the pitch. The hosts continue to dominate possession.
There's some concern for Aguero as he limps away from a challenge. It doesn't look too serious, but the City staff will be keeping a close eye on him for the next few minutes.
CHANCE! A brilliant reverse pass from Silva plays in Zabaleta, who drills the ball across the box, where Nasri can only poke the ball wide via a deflection. It could have easily been four there.
SUBSTITUTION: First change of the night for West Brom as Vydra comes off to make way for Victor Anichebe.
It's no surprise to see Anichebe come on for Vydra, who struggled to make an impact. Anichebe will hold up the ball, but the visitors must get their attacking players closer to the striker if they want to find a way back into this match.
SUBSTITUTION: Aguero heads off, but it looks just to be a precautionary move from Pellegrini following that blow he took a few minutes ago. Stevan Jovetic is his replacement.
West Brom are lacking urgency when they don't have the ball. It's proving to be too easy for City to keep the ball at this stage of the game. Demichelis delights the crowd with a great piece of defending. He's been very good tonight.
Plenty of concerned faces at the Etihad as Silva goes down in pain after taking a kick to the heel. This could be a big moment in City's season. They need the Spaniard to be fit and firing if they are to catch Liverpool.
SUBSTITUTES: There's a great reception for Silva as he's stretchered off the pitch. City will be hoping that it's not as serious as it does look at the moment. James Milner comes on for his teammate.
SAVE! That injury has certainly changed the mood around the Etihad. West Brom are trying to get on the front foot, but they are left frustrated as Hart pushes Amalfitano's long range effort away.
SHOT! Jovetic almost makes an impact with his first chance of the game as he collects a knock down from Dzeko before firing a half-volley just wide of Foster's post.
Hart has had a couple of nervy moments in recent weeks, but he displays his confidence by coming off the line to collect a long ball under pressure from a couple of players. Excellent goalkeeping.
SUBSTITUTION: Mel makes another change as Saido Berahino comes off the bench to replace Sessegnon. Has the West Brom boss left it too late to bring on the quick forward?
Lovely football from the hosts as they play the ball around on the edge of the box before Fernandinho sends a powerful strike over the crossbar.
The West Brom challenge seems to be fading as the home side continue to dominate possession. A second goal for the Baggies would make the finish interesting, but they're struggling to compete in advanced areas.
Excellent defending from Demichelis as he sprints across the box to block Anichebe's shot. Hart is then forced to push away a teasing cross as Berahino looked to add the finishing touch from close range.
CHANCE! More good build-up play on show as City push the visitors back. Dzeko collects a pass from Nasri on the edge of the box, but he fails to hit the target with a curled effort.
SUBSTITUTION: James Morrison is sent on for the closing stages of the match as Mulumbu makes way for his fellow midfielder.
West Brom are running out of time to pull one back. City are dealing with every attack, and there are clear signs that the visiting players are tiring.
Dzeko breaks free on the left, but Olsson sticks to his task well to force the striker into a difficult position before making the block. Great defending.
SUBSTITUTION: West Brom are going to finish the match with just 10 players on the pitch after Ridgewell takes is hurt while being challenged by Zabaleta. City make their final change, with Kolarov replacing Dzeko.
The fourth official confirms that five minutes will be added on. Pellegrini's side are cruising to all three points.
West Brom just haven't made the right decisions in the final third of the pitch in the second half. Dorrans ignores his teammates to send a 25-yard effort over the crossbar. Poor from the midfielder.
SAVE! Great play from Milner as he trades passes with Fernandinho before seeing a powerful effort kept out by Foster's legs. West Brom then clear the corner which follows.
FULL TIME: MAN CITY 3-1 WEST BROM
It's all over at the Etihad. An entertaining first half was followed by a quiet 45 minutes. City collect all three points, but the victory will be overshadowed if Silva's injury keeps him out of the final four games of the season.
Job done for City tonight, but West Brom's bid to remain in the Premier League goes on following this defeat. They remain just three points above the relegation zone.
That's all from me tonight. Thank you for following our coverage. Goodnight.
