Manchester City rout West Ham to edge closer to top 4

Manchester City embarrassed West Ham United 4-0 to challenge Liverpool for the fourth place in the English Premier League football, while rivals Man United could manage only a scoreless draw at home against lowly Hull City.

City's visit to London Olympic Stadium on Wednesday proved rewarding. They routed West Ham 5-0 in the FA Cup recently, reports Efe.

Kevin de Bruyne started the scoring for City, connecting just after the 15-minute mark. David Silva doubled their lead in the 21st minute.

Gabriel Jesus posted his first Premier League goal to make it 3-0 and Yaya Toure converted from the penalty spot to complete the rout of 11th-place West Ham.

The win brings City to 46 points from 23 matches, the same as Liverpool but they have an superior goal difference compared to City. Pep Guardiola's squad are just one point behind second-placed Arsenal and third Tottenham Hotspur.

Back in Manchester, United were stymied 0-0 at Old Trafford by Hull City, who sit in the 19th place.

The hosts dominated possession and territory, but Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic delivered a stellar performance against the talent-laden Man United.

The outcome leaves United with 42 points, four behind City in the battle for a top-four finish and a berth in the 2017-18 Champions League.

Wednesday's other match also ended in a deadlock, as Stoke City and Everton traded goals to finish 1-1.

Stoke took the lead in the 7th minute on Peter Crouch's 100th Premier League goal, but home side defender Ryan Shawcross's own goal forced the hosts to settle for a single point.

Everton, with 37 points, is in the seventh place. Stoke sits in the ninth spot with 29 points.

--IANS

sam/vm