LONDON: Carlos Tevez struck three goals as Manchester City moved within two points of neighbours and champions United at the top of the Premier League thanks to a crushing 6-1 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Tevez celebrated his hat-trick with a mock golf swing after a display which left City fans – and doubtless manager Roberto Mancini – wondered what might have been if he had not missed half the season. Almost typically, he was yellow-carded before he had scored.

Starting successive league games for the first time in 11 months, Tevez volleyed home from 20 yards before he backheeled for Aguero to make it 2-0 with another volley. Andrew Surman pulled one back just after the break to give the Canaries brief hope before City took control again.

Tevez struck twice, Aguero curled in another and Adam Johnson the sixth to earn an impressive victory. Roberto Mancini’s men are now two points behind table-topping United, who play their game in hand against Aston Villa at Old Trafford tomorow/Sunday.

At the other end of the table bottom club Wolves were left eights points from safety after a goalless draw away to Sunderland. They have taken only two points in nine games since Terry Connor took over from sacked Mick McCarthy.

Blackburn remained in the bottom three as they collapsed 3-0 at Swansea who passed the 40-point safety target in the process. Gylfi Sigurdsson opened up for Swansea after 37 minutes and Nathan Dyer punished poor defending to double the advantage just before the break. Swansea’s third came just after the hour when the ball rebounded in off Scott Dann after Sigurdsson hit the post.

QPR missed a chance to pull away from the relegation zone as they were beaten by a 35-yard strike from Graham Dorrans at West Bromwich after 22 minutes. Rangers wasted several chances to equalise. Bobby Zamora went close three times and Jamie Mackie once while Billy Jones hit the post for Albion.

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