Manchester City 4-0 West Bromwich Albion

Manchester City regained hope in the Premier League title race after closing the gap on Manchester United to five points. Carlos Tevez and David Silva added to Sergio Aguero's double as Roberto Mancini's side eased past West Brom to record their first win in three games, while league leaders United were beaten 1-0 at Wigan. The title race seemed as good as over before kick-off but the home side made a bright start to the match with Aguero firing in from 25 yards after just six minutes. City came flying out of the traps but it was an otherwise slow first-half with the only other opportunity falling to Micah Richards who rounded he keeper before his shot seemed to be blocked by the arm of Craig Dawson on its way in. It was a subdued atmosphere inside the Etihad Stadium and this was represented in the performance on the pitch. This changed after 50 minutes however when news of a Wigan goal against Manchester United filtered through and Mancini's side doubled their lead through Aguero's neat finish from close range. The home crowd sensed another turning point in the season and Eastlands was rocking as Samir Nasri almost made it three with a left-footed strike moments later. City didn't have to wait long to extend their lead as Tevez marked his first start since September with a goal, easing Aguero's cross home from six-yards. Silva found the back of the net for the first time in over four months when he delightfully chipped Ben Foster from inside the box to round off a fine evening for the City faithful. Jonas Olsson should have pulled back a consolation goal for West Brom when he headed a corner over from a glorious position, but the Baggies came into the fixture having virtually ensured safety with a win over Blackburn on Saturday and seemed relaxed all evening. The evening's results puts the pressure back on United who suddenly look less comfortable at the top of the Premier League and still have to travel to Eastlands to play Manchester City on April 30.

League Cup Manchester City 0-1 Liverpool

A Steven Gerrard penalty in the first-half was the difference between the two sides at the Etihad Stadium in the Carling Cup clash.Liverpool started off brightly and created the first chance of the game with some fine build up play before Andy Carroll found himself through on go only to be denied by Joe Hart after five minutes.The visitors continued to press and Hart was called into action on two more occasions following efforts from Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing.However the deadlock was broken when Stefan Savic brought down Daniel Agger in the box, before Gerrard stepped up to slot the ball home from the penalty spot on 13 minutes.City looked out of sorts in the first-half but could and should have possibly equalised just before the break when James Milner fired his shot over the bar after some great work from Micah Richards. The home side looked brighter in the second half and could have equalised after Martin Kelly produced a poor back pass straight to Sergio Aguero but Pepe Reina was there to put the Argentina star off and his effort went over the bar.Just before the hour mark a Samir Nasri corner was well connected by the head of Micah Richards but again Reina was equal to it. City enjoyed more of the possession in the final 20 minutes but could not find a goal of their own and Liverpool held on to take a one goal advantage back to Anfield for the semi-final second leg.

Spurs have £38.5m bid for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero rejected

Tottenham have failed with a sensational swoop for Argentina international and Chelsea target Sergio Aguero.

Chelsea reportedly tried to sign the diminutive Atletico Madrid striker along with Uruguayan defender Diego Godin for £52million earlier this week.

Talks broke down with the Spanish club after a fee couldn’t be agreed between the clubs and Tottenham tried to take advantage despite boss Harry Redknapp’s assertion that Spurs would not be doing anymore business in the transfer window.

According to Sky Sports Tottenham had the bid rejected earlier today. They were willing to meet the release clause in Aguero’s contract but the striker was not willing to pay the extra tax add-ons.

The chase for Aguero follows a familiar story for Spurs in this January transfer window as they have had bids rejected from a number of other clubs for strikers, most recently Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Negredo.

Spurs met Llorente’s release clause but tax implications also put paid to any chance of signing the striker.

Harry Redknapp was also in Spain last week to watch Diego Forlan play with a view to following up his interest in the Uruguay striker, though wages have proved to be a stumbling block.