Silva sends City back top

A David Silva goal was enough to fire Manchester City back to the top of the Premier League.

The Sky Blues had been sitting in second place after Manchester United defeated Queens Park Rangers 2-0 in the lunchtime kick off, but by the time the day’s action was over a 1-0 City win over Arsenal was enough to put them back in pole position.

Speaking after the match, City manager Roberto Mancini told the BBC that it was a relief the side had managed to bounce back after losing their unbeaten record to Chelsea last weekend. Those following the Premier League title betting will have been impressed.

"It was important [to hit back], because United are having a good season like Manchester City," he said.

"We are strong, they are strong, but we know that the season is long.”

He added that there may be other occasions in the season when City slip into second place and this is a situation the side will need to cope with if they are to win the title.

Silva’s goal came in the 53rd minute when he pounced on the rebound after Wojciech Szczesny had saved Mario Balotelli’s shot.

Although Sergio Aguero fired over when presented with a good chance and Pablo Zabaleta hit the post it wasn’t all one-way traffic and Arsenal were aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty and also saw a goal chalked off for offside.

City are now three points clear of Manchester United in second with a vastly superior goal difference.