Blues sweep aside Baggies

MANCHESTER City need just a point from their final game of the season to earn another tilt at the Champions League after sweeping aside West Brom.

On a night of high emotion as long-serving full-back Pablo Zabaleta said farewell to the Etihad Stadium, City eased past the Baggies 3-1 with goals from Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne and Yaya Toure. The victory lifted them above Liverpool to third in the Premier League with just Sunday's trip to Watford to come. Any positive result at Vicarage Road will guarantee a top-four finish.

"It was a good night and it's in our hands to finish third," said manager Pep Guardiola.

"I would not say it's done, fourth, but Arsenal have to win five or 6-0 to qualify fourth, but we are there. We will travel and try to put in a good performance and win."

In such form and with a healthy goal difference in their favour, City should be confident of completing the job. West Brom, who have won just one of their last 11 matches, were poor as City eased to the three points.

Jesus, with his sixth goal in seven league starts, and De Bruyne struck within two minutes of each other midway through the first half and Toure added the third just before the hour. Sergio Aguero was instrumental in all three goals.

"He didn't score, but he helped us to make assists," said Guardiola. "He played really good. It was an amazing performance."