Man City go on top after Balotelli hat-trick

LONDON - A hat-trick from Mario Balotelli fired Manchester City to the top of the English Premier League in a 4-0 home win over Aston Villa.

A penalty in each half Tuesday from the Italian, together with a simple tap-in and a header from Joleon Lescott gave City a comprehensive win over a hapless Villa side and Roberto Mancini’s men now sit on top of the league with 38 points, one point above Manchester United, albeit having played three games more.

City wasted no time in dismantling their opponents at Eastlands and found themselves three goals ahead within half an hour. With just seven minutes played Balotelli despatched his first penalty after being brought down by a reckless challenge from Eric Lichaj.

Five minutes later, the lead was doubled when Lescott headed Adam Johnson’s corner past Barry Bannon on the line and any chance Villa might have had was ended when Balotelli tapped in the third after Brad Friedel could only parry David Silva’s powerful strike.

Balotelli then fired in from the spot again to complete his hat-trick after Marc Albrighton bundled over Adam Johnson ten minutes into the second half.

City manager Mancini praised his side but with rivals Manchester United in action later Tuesday, sought to put the victory in perspective.

“I know that we are top, but I think it will only be for three hours. It is important to be there at the end of the season”, he said.

Tottenham’s superb recent form continued with a 2-0 win over Newcastle at White Hart Lane despite the home side being forced to play the final 30 minutes without Younes Kaboul after the defender received a second yellow card.

Second half goals from Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale gave the home side the victory that takes them above Chelsea into fourth place on 33 points, five behind Man City with a game in hand.

Despite being much the better side for long periods, Spurs were unable to break the deadlock until the hour mark, when Lennon’s deflected shot beat Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal.

The decisive goal came ten minutes from time as Bale led and finished a superb counter attack with a low drive past Krul from a tight angle.

Elsewhere, Fulham moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win at Stoke with two rare goals from defender Chris Baird and Blackpool’s excellent away form this season continued with a 2-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Two goals from Nikolo Kalinic also helped Blackburn to a 3-1 win over West Brom although the striker was later sent off for a dangerous late tackle on Paul Scharner while West Ham remain in the relegation zone after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Upton Park.

Manchester United have the chance to return to the summit as they travel to struggling Birmingham City later Tuesday night.