Brilliant first-half goals from Rubén Dias and Bernardo Silva helped Manchester City win 2-1 at Aston Villa in a pulsating Premier League clash on Wednesday.
While the home side pulled one back through Ollie Watkins to make a game in the second half, City claimed second place in the standings with 32 points from 14 games, one behind leader Chelsea.
Villa finished 13th on 16 points after their first loss under new manager Steven Gerrard after two consecutive wins.
City dominated the opening half and got two passes early on as Villa goalkeeper Emiliano MartÃnez crossed fierce shots from Joao Cancello and Rodri, leaving the home side barely out of their own half.
The visitors took the lead through Dias in the 27th minute when the Portugal centre-back beat Martinez with a slightly deviating first shot from 20 meters after Raheem Sterling flashed a cutback in the penalty area.
If there was any element of luck involved in the opening goal, the second was sheer square as City broke under pressure in their own penalty area and came to the other end in a matter of seconds.
Cancillo fired a short pass to Riyad Mahrez for two Villa forwards and the Alger international released Gabriel Jesus on the right flank, with the striker picking up a cross for Silva and crashing an unassailable volley into the roof of the net.
Down but not out, Villa came back to life soon after the break as Watkins got into the crowded penalty area to drive a half-volley inside the near post from 10 meters after meeting a low Douglas Luiz corner. Got the place
The home team missed a golden opportunity to save the draw in the 75th minute when city keeper Ederson overtook a sitter from substitute Carney Chukwuemeka and the visitors remained in the final leg.
Dias was pleased that City were able to avoid Villa's late attack and described Silva's goal as a morale-boosting moment.
"Very important win today against a team that is under fire under a new manager," Dias told Amazon Prime. "It's very important to get three points. Everyone fights a lot and we are very happy.
"Bernardo gave us a little extra confidence in the second half. We have to give him credit for a good goal that changed the game. With the crowd he tried to take things apart but our team was always in control."