Manchester City responded to the disappointment at conceding the Premier League title to Manchester United by beating West Ham 2-1 on Saturday to strengthen its grip on second place.
Sergio Aguero put City ahead in the 28th minute after being set up by Samir Nasri, who cut through the West Ham defense by playing a one-two with David Silva.
Yaya Toure curled the winner into the top corner of the net in the 83rd after also being teed up by Nasri.
City goalkeeper Joe Hart made a mistake in stoppage time while appearing to struggle with a back injury, letting Andy Carroll's shot squirmed through his legs.
''We had the control of the game, we dominated for 90 minutes - we were unlucky to concede that goal at the end,'' City defender Pablo Zabaleta said. ''We should defend better but it's three points. We need to keep going.''
City has an eight-point cushion over Arsenal, with the focus now winning the FA Cup next month against Wigan next month.
''We have probably been a bit inconsistent this year, not like last season, and probably that has cost us the title,'' Zabaleta said. ''But we are working to improve, keep winning trophies and we have the cup final at Wembley.
''It is always special to win that competition as well, so we'll try to come back stronger next year and try to win the title back.''
West Ham remained 10th and is virtually assured of staying up.
''I was just concerned about the players over respecting the opposition in the first half and having plenty of possession but just giving it straight back and sitting in,'' West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said. ''We had to improve on that from the very start of that second half, and we got in their final third and we persisted to do that throughout the whole of the game.
?''But as our problem has been all season, as we know, is creating chances and not enough goals scored.''
