Man City: Pellegrini's men maintain their 100% home record as they advance to 2nd place.

Manchester City maintained their 100 per cent home record in the Barclays Premier League as they beat fellow title-hopefuls Liverpool 2-1.

Philippe Coutinho's second goal of the season put Brendan Rodgers' side in front after 24 minutes in the battle of the Barclays Premier League's two highest scoring sides at the Etihad Stadium. Vincent Kompany equalised just seven minutes later and Alvaro Negredo's 14th goal of the season put Man City in front on the stroke of half-time.

The second half did not match the scintillating first 45 minutes, but Liverpool had their chances to salvage at least a point and Raheem Sterling missed a big opportunity. Man City are just a point behind leaders Arsenal in second place and have won six of their last seven top-flight matches, while Liverpool sit three points behind the Gunners in fourth.

Manuel Pellegrini said: "It was very important because Liverpool were the best team in the Premier League. They were top of the table before the match so if they won they would be four points in front of us.

"It was very important, especially when we were losing 1-0, the personality of the team to go for the game.

"I'm very happy with our response, because it's not easy when you play such a difficult team who can play on the counter-attack when you are losing 1-0. It's very easy for them to have space, but we defended very well.

"It's just half of (the) Premier League (season completed); we have the second half that will be very close with five or six teams going for the title."