Man City 2-1 West Brom: Samir Nasri inspires City to victory on return from injury

Samir Nasri scored a second-half winner on his return to the starting line-up as Manchester City beat West Brom 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

West Brom took the lead after Stephane Sessegnon beat Joe Hart at his near post with a superb effort early on, before City equalised through Sergio Aguero's penalty.

Nasri, who was making his first Premier League start since September after injury, converted from close range to make it 2-1, and City held on for the three points.

The result leaves City fourth - four points clear of Manchester United, who play on Sunday - while West Brom are 13th on 40 points.

City made five changes from the side that drew 2-2 at PSG in midweek, but they got off to a slow start at the Etihad as West Brom took the lead after six minutes.

James McClean's ball from the left found its way to Sessegnon on the right corner of the area, and his fierce half-volley founds its way past Hart at his near post, West Brom's first shot on target in 210 minutes of top flight football.

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City were level 13 minutes later as Sessegnon turned from hero to villain, clumsily catching Aleksandar Kolarov from behind just inside the area, allowing Aguero to slot home a superb penalty on his 200th appearance for the club.

Eliaquim Mangala went close with a header from a corner soon after, before substitute Craig Gardner, who replaced the injured Salomon Rondon, put a well-worked left-footed effort wide of the post.

Aguero forced Ben Foster into a good save from range in the second half, while at the other end West Brom had a strong call for a penalty turned down by referee Mike Jones after Mangala had piled through Sandro in the area.

City scored the winner on 66 minutes after Aguero's blocked shot from close range fell to Nasri, who slipped the ball past West Brom defender McAuley on the line. It was an emotional goal for the Frenchman, who was starting his first game since early September after a thigh injury.

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Saido Berahino failed to wrap his foot around the ball having been handed a clear chance in the area, before Foster again denied Aguero - who went off with an injury later shrugged off by Manuel Pellegrini - from the right of the area with a fine low save.

West Brom came within inches of an equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Hart's unconvincing punch from a corner fell to McClean, but his volley dropped just wide of the left-hand post as City survived.

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Player ratings

Manchester City: Hart (5), Zabaleta (6), Otamendi (6), Mangala (5), Kolarov (7), Fernando (6), Delph (6), Navas (5), Nasri (8), Bony (5), Aguero (7)

Subs used: Toure (6), De Bruyne (6), Iheanacho (NA)

Nasri proves his worth

Samir Nasri provided a timely reminder of his quality in Man City's 2-1 win over West Brom.

West Brom: Foster (6); Chester (6), Evans (6), McClean (6), Berahino (5), McAuley (6), Fletcher (7), Dawson (6), Sessegnon (7), Sandro, Rondon (6)

Subs: Gardner (6), Leko (NA)

Man of the match: Samir Nasri