Manchester United ended

         

  Yaya Toure's curler into the top corner sealed City's win, although Andy Carroll's shot squirmed past Joe Hart for a late Hammers consolation goal.The Argentine did not take long to atone for his miss. Yaya Toure, Silva and Nasri combined with some intricate build-up play before the latter teed up Aguero to slot in at the near post.City's 3-1 loss against Tottenham last Sunday allowed rivals Manchester United to grab back the title with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Monday and there was a subdued atmosphere at the Etihad.Almost immediately, City came close to doubling their lead when a Nasri shot was parried by keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who had to react quickly to turn Pablo Zabaleta's follow-up around the upright.However, with the FA Cup final against Wigan on 11 May, the hosts produced an impressive performance, which only lacked more of a cutting edge as they tightened their grip on second place.In a first half marked by a period of applause in a touching tribute to Marc-Vivien Foe, who played for both clubs and died playing for Cameroon nearly 10 years ago, West Ham's best chance came when Mohamed Diame's volley was saved at the second attempt by Hart.West Ham, whose top-flight safety is all-but guaranteed, had their five-match unbeaten run ended by the defeat and, although they improved after the break, they struggled to create chances.The visitors thought they should have had a penalty when a Matt Jarvis cross struck Zabaleta's arm, although it was more ball to hand and the appeal was waved away by referee Howard Webb.The match soon fell into the pattern of City trying to prise a way through the massed Hammers ranks and it did not take long for City's pressure and perseverance to pay off.