Premier League: Manchester City 3 Stoke City 0

Manchester City will spend Christmas top of the English Premier League after a routine 3-0 win at home to Stoke City on Wednesday.

The hosts dominated for the majority of the match and took the lead just before the half-hour mark, with Sergio Aguero tapping in Yaya Toure’s pass.

Adam Johnson got their second soon after with a great finish from outside the area, and Aguero wrapped the up victory and the three points on 55 minutes.

The Argentine was left with a simple finish for his second after good work from Samir Nasri.

Roberto Mancini made two changes from the side that beat Arsenal 1-0 on Sunday, bringing Gael Clichy back into the line-up at the expense of Pablo Zabaleta after the Frenchman served out his suspension and handing Adam Johnson his fifth start of the season.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis made four alterations from Saturday’s win at Wolves, with Glen Whelan replaced by Wilson Palacios, Cameron Jerome and Kenwyne Jones coming in for Matthew Etherington and Peter Crouch and Matthew Upson starting in place of the suspended Ryan Shawcross.

The first real chance of the match did not come until the 14th minute, when Johnson’s left-footed strike crashed against the far post after he cut in from the right-wing.

Samir Nasri was the next to go close, after the France international played a one-two with David Silva before thrashing wide of the right post.

The visitors managed a strong start to the match, standing up well to City’s attacking flair.

But the longer the half went on, the more the hosts started to take control.

City eventually made their dominance tell as they took the lead with 30 minutes gone.

After receiving a clever pass from Silva, Yaya Toure played the ball across the goal. But although Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen got a hand to it, Aguero was still able to tap the ball over the line for his 12th Premier League goal.

Less than seven minutes later, City got their second of the match.

Toure’s pressure just outside the Stoke box ensured the ball fell to Johnson, and the former Middlesbrough man struck from 25 yards, finding the bottom corner emphatically.

The second period started in much the same way as the first ended, with City in control and Aguero doing his best to double his tally.

First, he tried his luck from just outside the area, then shot from an angle after a brilliant solo-run, but Stoke were managing to keep City at bay.

But that did not last long, as Aguero eventually got his second of the match in the 53rd minute when he tapped in Nasri’s low cross.

After City effectively securing the three points, Stoke were allowed to get time on the ball and enjoyed increased possession.

But Barry still forced Sorensen into a good reaction save with 20 minutes to go after Aguero chipped the ball over the defence for the England midfielder, with his half-volley only resulting in a corner.

It was the last incident of note as City ensured they maintained their two-point lead atop the table at Christmas, while Stoke stay ninth.