Manchester City have strolled to a 4-0 victory over Stoke City to regain third position in the Premier League table.

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The first opportunity of the game fell to Kelechi Iheanacho but after the young forward curled just wide of the post from 20 yards, Stoke came into the game and could have opened the scoring through Ryan Shawcross who dragged his half-volley wide of the post.

Giannelli Imbula and Joselu also failed to hit the target as Stoke pressed forward but 10 minutes before the break, it was City who went ahead through Fernando.

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The midfielder managed to connect with Jesus Navas's outswinging corner towards the near post and he left Shay Given with no chance after glancing the ball into the far corner.

Stoke needed to reach half time facing just the one-goal deficit but with two minutes remaining, Shawcross pulled back Iheanacho inside the penalty area and Sergio Aguero made no mistake from the spot.

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The visitors began the second half on the front foot and should have pulled a goal back through Joselu but after the striker met a cross from Arnautovic, his shot went over the crossbar from 12 yards.

Mame Biram Diouf sent a header wide before Arnautovic forced a save out of Joe Hart after cutting inside from the left, but shortly after the hour mark, City extended their lead when Iheanacho converted from 10 yards after being found by Pablo Zabaleta.

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It took just 10 minutes for the Nigerian attacker to net his second when he burst clear of the Stoke defence before rounding substitute goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard and tapping into an empty net.

The result was wrapped up long before the full-time whistle but City were dealt a problem during the closing stages when Yaya Toure sustained a thigh injury, and although he finished the match, he will be a doubt for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid on Tuesday night.