Man City continue good form

Manchester City continued their good run of a form with a memorable 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough at the City of Manchester Stadium. Elano was again the talisman as he grabbed two goals to keep Man City's excellent European push on track.

Another excellent performance from Sven Goran Eriksson's men was put in, and gave plenty of reason for why he kept an unchanged Man City side.

Tom Craddock got his first Premier League start for Middlesbrough as his other first-choice strikers were all unavailable.

It took only ten minutes for Man City to take the lead, Petrov's corner from the right came to Riggott who side-footed the ball past his own keeper.

Middlesbrough did respond well and took the game to their opponents, however, it took till 35 minutes before City doubled their lead through a fast counter-attack which ended with a fierce low drive into the bottom corner from Elano, who took on a sublime pass from the ever impressive Michael Johnson.

After half time it should've been three for City but Stephen Ireland's shot was well blocked by the Boro keeper.

Craddock then had his best moment for Boro when he bore down on goal but had his shot smothered at his feet by the onrushing Hart, but then came off for the debuting Ben Hutchison.

Elano made it 3-0 as Emile Mpenza won a free kick, and up stepped the brilliant Brazilian to tuck the ball into the top corner of the net - his second free kick strike in successive weeks.

Mark Schwarzer stopped a fourth goal - again from Ireland - who took a great shot from an Elano cross.

With minutes to go Schwarzer had to be on hand again to stop a goal bound Petrov effort.

However, Middlesbrough's debutant Ben Hutchison had the last laugh with a consolation for Boro after picking up a Joe Hart save.

Another impressive performance by Sven-Goran Eriksson's men, as they continue to teeter up the Premiership table.