A hat-trick from Mario Balotelli fired Manchester City to the top of the English Premier League in a 4-0 home win over Aston Villa on Tuesday, dpa reported.
The Italian's two penalties - one in each half - along with a simple tap and a header from Joleon Lescott gave City a comprehensive win over a hapless Villa side and Roberto Mancini's men now sit on top of the league with 38 points, one point above Manchester United, albeit having played three games more.
City wasted no time in dismantling their opponents at Eastlands and found themselves three goals ahead within half an hour. With just seven minutes played Balotelli despatched his first penalty after being brought down by a reckless challenge from Eric Lichaj.
Five minutes later, the lead was doubled when Lescott headed Adam Johnson's corner past Barry Bannon on the line and any chance Villa might have had was ended when Balotelli tapped in the third when Brad Friedel could only parry David Silva's powerful strike.
Balotelli then fired in from the spot again to complete his hat- trick after Marc Albrighton bundled over Adam Johnson ten minutes into the second half.
Tottenham's superb recent form continued with a 2-0 win over Newcastle at White Hart Lane despite the sending off of Younes Kaboul.
Second half goals from Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale gave the home side the victory that takes them above Chelsea into fourth place on 33 points, five behind Man City with a game in hand.
Despite being much the better side for long periods, Spurs were unable to break the deadlock until the hour mark, when Lennon's deflected shot beat Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal.
The decisive goal came ten minutes from time as Bale finished a superb counter attack with a low drive past Krul.
Elsewhere, Fulham moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win at Stoke with two rare goals from defender Chris Baird and Blackpool's excellent away form this season continued with a 2-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Two goals from Nikolo Kalinic also helped Blackburn to a 3-1 win over West Brom although the striker was later sent off.for a dangerous late tackle on Paul Scharner.
Struggling West Ham will hope to build on their win over Fulham on Boxing Day as they welcome Everton to Upton Park and Manchester United will look to go back to the top of the league with a win at Birmingham in Tuesday's later matches.
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