Manchester City FC are back on top of the pile in England after eking out a slender 1-0 victory at Aston Villa FC, Joleon Lescott making the difference for the Premier League leaders just after the hour.

City's local rivals Manchester United FC hit the summit via a 2-1 defeat of Liverpool FC on Saturday, but Roberto Mancini's men are two points out in front again after triumphing at Villa Park. The visitors turned up the pressure following a quiet first half and were rewarded on 63 minutes when Lescott turned in from close range after Gareth Barry had headed a James Milner corner back across goal.

In Sunday's other game, Peter Odemwingie hit a hat-trick as West Bromwich Albion FC romped to a 5-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. Jonas Olsson and Keith Andrews also registered for West Brom to drop Wolves into the relegation zone on goal difference.