City join Arsenal at summit

Manchester City moved up to second place in the Premier League standings yesterday with a 3-1 win at relegation-threatened West Ham to put them level on points with leaders Arsenal.

Strikes from Yaya Toure, Adam Johnson and a Robert Green own goal secured three precious points for Roberto Mancini's men ahead of the Gunners' visit to Manchester United tomorrow.

Toure opened the scoring after 30 minutes, the Ivory Coast midfielder combining with England international Gareth Barry to rifle an unstoppable shot past Hammers keeper Green.

Toure was also responsible for City's second goal on 73 minutes, surging into the West Ham penalty box and firing a low shot which cannoned off the post and into the net off the desperately unlucky Green's back.

Johnson - who came on as a substitute to replace Mario Balotelli after the volatile Italian striker earned a booking for dissent - completed the scoring with a well-taken effort on 81 minutes.

West Ham defender James Tomkins scored a consolation, heading in from a corner on 89 minutes. The defeat left the Hammers bottom on goal difference, four points from safety.

Reigning champions Chelsea will reclaim top spot if they beat Tottenham in their visit to White Hart Lane today.

Elsewhere yesterday, goals were thin on the ground with Everton held to a goalless draw against Wigan at Goodison Park as Fulham and Sunderland finished 0-0 at Craven Cottage.

But goals from Stewart Downing and Emile Heskey eased pressure on Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier as the Birmingham club snatched a nervy 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park.

Downing set Villa on the way to ending their four-match losing streak in all competitions when he got on the end of a Marc Albrighton cross to open the scoring on 25 minutes.

Veteran striker Heskey, playing his first match since October after undergoing surgery on an injured knee ligament, made sure of the points for Villa on 80 minutes.

A bullet header from Austrian international midfielder Paul Scharner on 89 minutes ensured a nerve-jangling finale, but Villa just managed to hold on for a vital win.

Promoted Blackpool, meanwhile, maintained their proud away record with a 1-0 victory over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium, firing the Tangerines into the top half of the table.

Blackpool took the lead through DJ Campbell in the 48th minute after a sweeping counter-attack. orchestrated by in-form Charlie Adam.