Manchester City FC maintained their 100% home record in the Premier League this season with a 3-0 victory against lowly Blackburn Rovers FC.

Mario Balotelli (30) made a sustained period of pressure tell for Roberto Mancini's team − who are five points clear of Manchester United FC ahead of their trip to Norwich City FC on Sunday − when he turned in Aleksandar Kolarov's cross. Sergio Agüero (52) confirmed the Citizens' 13th top-flight victory at the City of Manchester Stadium in 2011/12 before Edin Džeko (81) headed in the third, two minutes after coming on.

Frank Lampard, meanwhile, scored the 150th league goal of his career as Chelsea FC moved into fourth courtesy of a 3-0 defeat of Bolton Wanderers FC. The Blues are three points ahead of Arsenal FC, who host third-placed Tottenham Hotspur FC on Sunday.

A day after being named Wolverhampton Wanderers FC manager until the end of the season, Terry Connor watched his side recover from two down to draw with Newcastle United FC. The Midlands club are 16th, a point above third-bottom Blackburn and Queens Park Rangers FC, who had Samba Diakité (33) dismissed in a 1-0 home loss to west London rivals Fulham FC.

Elsewhere, West Bromwich Albion FC put four without reply past Sunderland AFC, while Wigan Athletic FC-Aston Villa FC ended goalless.