MANCHESTER: Manchester City kept alive their flickering hopes of a second Premier League title in three seasons, and increased West Bromwich Albion’s relegation worries, with a comfortable 3-1 victory at Eastlands on Monday.

Goals in the first 10 minutes from Argentines Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero and a third before halftime from compatriot Martin Demichelis, following a Graham Dorrans strike for the visitors, helped close the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points.

Third-placed City also have a game in hand on the top two clubs.

Liverpool, seeking a first English title since 1990, have 80 points from 35 games followed by Chelsea on 75 from 35 and City with 74 from 34, four points clear of fourth-placed Arsenal. West Brom stayed 16th, three points above the relegation zone with four games remaining.

City, whose title challenge had stalled with a defeat at Liverpool and a home draw with struggling Sunderland, face remaining games at Crystal Palace and Everton and home matches with Aston Villa and West Ham United.

“Job done and we had some very good starts in the game, so we’ll take the positives out of it and take it with us into the next four games,” City captain Vincent Kompany told Sky Sports.

And the Belgian defender said City had it in them to repeat their form of two seasons ago, when they won the title in the closing minutes of the season.

“I’m as motivated as anyone,” he said. We can still remember what happened for us two years ago, so it’s kind of something where we take motivation out of it.”

Zabaleta stooped to head home a rebound inside three minutes at the Etihad Stadium after Aguero’s shot was palmed out by West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster, and Aguero buried a low shot into the corner from 25 metres in the 10th for his first goal since Jan 29.

Dorrans’ spectacular 16th-minute volley halved West Brom’s deficit when he twisted and turned Gael Clichy before letting fly with a fierce volley that crashed into the net off the post.

However, Demichelis restored the two-goal lead after receiving the end of Kompany’s flick-on from Samir Nasri’s corner and West Brom rarely threatened in the second half.

“We talk with the players that if Liverpool win their [last] three games and win 14 games in a row then they will be the champions but our duty is to try to win our games and in that way Liverpool can feel pressure,” City manager Manuel Pellegrini told Sky Sports.