Manchester City top after Liverpool victory

Manchester City went three points clear at the top of the Premier League after running out convincing 3-0 winners over a Liverpool side without the suspended Luis Suarez.

Despite the final scoreline, City were not at their best but a Jose Reina blunder handed them an opener, Yaya Toure added a second, and James Milner wrapped it up from the spot just after Gareth Barry was dismissed.

Liverpool had the first good chance when Jordan Henderson's first-time pass played in Stewart Downing but Joe Hart was out quickly to save well.

And City took the lead on 10 minutes when Sergio Aguero tried his luck from just outside the area and Reina somehow let the low shot sneak under his body.

Reina redeemed himself somewhat later in the half with a brilliant reflex save when Vincent Kompany met a corner at the near post.

But the respite was brief for the Reds, Toure meeting the subsequent David Silva corner with a header which glanced in off the crossbar to double the lead on 33 minutes.

Liverpool probed for openings after the break and their cause was helped when Barry picked up a second yellow for blocking Daniel Agger's run.

But the incident instead sparked City and Toure went down under a Martin Skrtel challenge moments later after charging into the box, prompting Andre Marriner to point to the spot.

Milner smashed the penalty into the top corner for a 75th-minute clincher and City almost went on to add a fourth, substitute Adam Johnson hitting the post with a curling effort.

City are three points clear of Manchester United, who play their game in hand against Newcastle at the Sports Direct Arena on Wednesday night.

In other matches Tottenham consolidated third place with a 1-0 win over West Brom courtesy of Jermain Defoe's 10th goal of the season.

Defoe's smart finish on the turn from Gareth Bale's low cross on 63 minutes eased the tension at White Hart Lane after the hosts had dominated the first hour without reward against the Baggies' spirited rearguard effort.

Rafael van der Vaart came the closest to breaking the deadlock before the break, forcing Ben Foster into a sharp save with a sweeping shot from 12 yards.

But Defoe's goal gave Spurs the victory that moved them to within three points of second-placed Manchester United and five points clear of Chelsea and six ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand on both of their London rivals.

In the night's other game, Sunderland followed up Sunday's victory over Manchester City in style with a 4-1 win over struggling Wigan at the DW Stadium.

The Latics bossed the opening 45 minutes and will have wondered how they failed to take the lead when David Jones hit the post and Ben Watson repeated the dose almost immediately from the rebound.

But they were made to pay seconds before the interval, with Wigan complaining about the free-kick given which allowed Craig Gardner the chance to crash a swerving drive past Ali Al Habsi from 30 yards.

Former Derry City striker James McClean doubled the lead 10 minutes after the break at the second attempt after Al Habsi saved his first header.

Hugo Rodallega pulled one back on 62 minutes but a lightning break and cross from Nicklas Bendtner 11 minutes later allowed Stephane Sessegnon to restore Sunderland's two-goal lead.

And there was more for a vociferous away following to cheer with 10 minutes left as McClean's hard work and a mis-hit shot fell perfectly for David Vaughan to lash past Al Habsi from 20 yards and add gloss to a one-sided scoreline.