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Sergio Aguero celebrates the decisive goal.
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Aguero penalty enough for below-par City to keep pressure on Liverpool

The Champions remain one point behind Liverpool after beating West Ham.

SERGIO AGUERO’S PENALTY earned Manchester City their fourth successive Premier League win as they beat West Ham 1-0 to remain one point behind leaders Liverpool.

Having beaten Chelsea on penalties in Sunday’s EFL Cup final at Wembley, quadruple-seeking City were not at their usual brilliant best against a West Ham side led by their former manager Manuel Pellegrini.

David Silva hit the post early on but it was substitute Bernardo Silva who came off the bench to win a spot-kick that Aguero converted by sending Lukasz Fabianski the wrong way.

Liverpool’s 5-0 victory over Watford at Anfield may have been more emphatic, but City got a result that means they can at least temporarily return to the summit at the weekend as they play before their title rivals.

Despite needing spot-kicks to see off Chelsea three days earlier, City did not look fatigued as they raced out of the blocks and twice came close to scoring in the opening four minutes.

Riyad Mahrez, one of five players brought into the starting XI, lost West Ham debutant Ben Johnson in the box but fired his half volley way over the crossbar before David Silva diverted Kevin De Bruyne’s low cross onto a post.

Yet City were unable to keep the pressure on, as Mahrez in particular struggled, with an unsuccessful penalty appeal for handball against Angelo Ogbonna the only other moment of note in the first half.

Samir Nasri’s Etihad Stadium return ended at half-time and his replacement, Manuel Lanzini, nearly conjured up the opening goal for the Hammers shortly after arriving.

The Argentinian skipped over compatriot Nicolas Otamendi’s outstretched leg and crossed for Andy Carroll, but the former Liverpool striker was denied by Ederson’s save.

Pep Guardiola responded by withdrawing the ineffectual Mahrez and Leroy Sane for Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva, and it was the latter who won the penalty that Aguero converted to put City ahead.

The Portuguese was driving across the box when Felipe Anderson bundled into the back of him, which resulted in a spot-kick that Aguero stroked into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Fabianski dived the wrong way there, but he was equal to efforts from Sterling and Danilo, either side of Ryan Fredericks clearing David Silva’s effort off the line, with City’s eventual margin of victory only one.

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