LONDON, Mar 16 (AFP): Manchester City survived the 10th-minute dismissal of captain Vincent Kompany to win 2-0 at Hull City Saturday and reduce Chelsea's lead in the Premier League to six points.
Kompany saw red for a last-man foul on Nikica Jelavic, but David Silva put City ahead with a glorious curling effort just four minutes later and Edin Dzeko made sure of victory at the death.
It was City's first league match for three weeks and they still have two games in hand on Chelsea, although the leaders can reassert their nine-point advantage with victory at Aston Villa later Saturday.
City's success at the KC Stadium also saw them climb to second place above Liverpool, who visit Manchester United Sunday, and Arsenal, who travel to Tottenham Hotspur later the same day.
"We needed to win today and playing with one player less for 80 minutes is very difficult, but I think we did a very good performance," said City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who saw his side eliminated from both the FA Cup and the Champions League earlier this week.
"We defended well with and without the ball, but we also attacked a lot. It was a very professional response from the players."
City were missing top scorer Sergio Aguero due to injury and they received a further setback in the 10th minute when Kompany was given his marching orders.
Jelavic appeared to foul Kompany as they jostled for possession, but play was allowed to continue and when the City captain hauled the Croatian down, referee Lee Mason immediately brandished the red card.
City trim Chelsea\\\'s lead, Fulham bite back
FE Team | Published: March 17, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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