London, Sept 15: Nicolas Anelka hits hat-trick as Manchester City earns first home win of the season with a 4-1 demolition against Aston Villa.
City's first league win on Sunday (September 14) at their new City of Manchester Stadium was helped by the debut of new signing Steve McManaman. Inspired by their Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel, Villa could have gone in front early but Swedish Marcus Allback failed to beat City goalkeeper David Seaman from close range. In the 31st minute, the visitors silenced the City fans as Lee Hendrie's cross was met with a firm and free header by Angel.
City bounced back after the break when McManaman, starting his first match after his move from Real Madrid, earned a penalty after Mark Delaney hit the ball with his hand. Frenchman Nicolas Anelka stepped in to level the score after 48 minutes.


Only two minutes later, German striker Michael Tarnat fired a freekick on the top corner of Thomas Sorensen who was left stranded in Villa's goal as City moved to a 2-1 advantage.


Villa's spark disappeared and City increased the pressure when Chinese international Sun Jihai earned another penalty after being tripped by Pete Whitthingam in the 68th minute. Anelka this time chose the other side and beat Sorensen again from the spot as City opened a 3-1 lead.


Anelka completed his hat trick with a third goal seven minutes before time. The 4-1 victory left City in third place, ahead of Chelsea, two points behind Manchester rivals United and three points behind leaders Arsenal.


Villa, with one win from five games under David O'Leary, are 15th on four points.


Match summary: Manchester City 4 - Nicolas Anelka 48pen, 68pen, 83 Michael Tarnat 50 Aston Villa 1 - Juan Pablo Angel 31 Halftime: 0-1


Standings before Birmingham City v Fulham (1505 GMT kickoff on Sunday, September 14): P W D L F A Pts 1. Arsenal 5 4 1 0 11 3 13 2. Manchester United 5 4 0 1 9 2 12 3. Manchester City 5 3 1 1 12 6 10 4. Chelsea 4 3 1 0 10 6 10 5. Portsmouth 5 2 3 0 8 3 9 6. Southampton 5 2 3 0 5 2 9 7. Liverpool 5 2 2 1 7 3 8 8. Birmingham City 3 2 1 0 2 0 7 9. Fulham 3 2 0 1 7 5 6 10. Blackburn Rovers 5 1 2 2 12 11 5 11. Leeds United 4 1 2 1 6 6 5 12. Charlton Athletic 5 1 2 2 6 7 5 13. Everton 5 1 2 2 8 10 5 14. Bolton Wanderers 5 1 2 2 4 10 5 15. Aston Villa 5 1 1 3 5 9 4 16. Tottenham Hotspur 5 1 1 3 4 9 4 17. Newcastle United 4 0 2 2 5 7 2 18. Leicester City 4 0 2 2 4 7 2 19. Middlesbrough 5 0 1 4 4 12 1 20. Wolverhampton Wanderers 5 0 1 4 1 12 1


Playing on Monday: Leicester City v Leeds United (1900)



Played on Saturday: Arsenal 1 Portsmouth 1 Blackburn Rovers 1 Liverpool 3 Bolton Wanderers 2 Middlesbrough 0 Charlton Athletic 0 Manchester United 2 Chelsea 4 Tottenham Hotspur 2 Everton 2 Newcastle United 2 Southampton 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0


Bureau Report