19 Dec 2011

Man City remain on top of EPL

7:42 am on 19 December 2011

Manchester City remain 2 points in front of champions Manchester United at the top of the English Premier football League after a 1-nil home win over Arsenal.

David Silva scored the only goal of a high-quality contest in the 53rd minute.

City missed several chances to double their lead and were almost made to pay when in-form Arsenal striker Robin van Persie received the ball just eight yards out only to shoot weakly at England goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Defeat meant Arsenal, beaten for the first time in nine games, stayed fifth in the table, 12 points behind City.

Earlier Manchester United returned to the summit for a couple of hours after a 2-nil win away to Queens Park Rangers.

Tottenham moved into third place, leapfrogging Chelsea to become London's top club, with a 1-nil win at home to strugglers Sunderland.

Liverpool went above Newcastle and into sixth spot with a 2-nil win away to Aston Villa.