Sergio Aguero moved to the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts as his effort in a 2-0 win at home to West Ham on Sunday bolstered Manchester City's hopes of securing a top-four finish and Champions League football.

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The Argentina international claimed his 20th goal of the season, after a James Collins own-goal had gifted last season's English champions the lead, thus ending a run which had seen him fail to score a goal from open play at Eastlands since November 2.

After a run of just four victories from their last dozen league games, culminating in last weekend's embarrassing 4-2 derby defeat at Manchester United, the win was sorely needed by a City side looking to hold off Liverpool in the chase for the top four.

City had already carved out half a dozen chances of note by the time they took a fortunate 18th minute lead thanks to a helping hand from Collins.

Jesus Navas's counter-attack down the right ended with him crossing towards the far post, his pass being intercepted by Collins who sent the ball looping high over goalkeeper Adrian and into the goal via the underside of the crossbar.

Aguero increased City's advantage in the 36th minute with another goal on the counter-attack, although this one was far better worked. The Argentinian fed Navas out on the right, receiving the return pass in his stride and sweeping home an unstoppable finish.

Silva's afternoon was brought to a premature end after 67 minutes when he was stretchered off after Cheikhou Kouyate caught him in the face with a flailing elbow, the West Ham man earning a caution in the process. The lengthy delay for Silva's treatment removed any remaining drama from proceedings with an already low-key affair becoming even more downbeat.