English Premier League roundup: Man City put on five-star show to crush Canaries

Sergio Aguero gave Roberto Mancini’s men a half-time lead before Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure made certain and substitutes Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson completed the rout.

Andre Villas-Boas’ Chelsea got their season back on track with a much-needed 3-0 victory to leapfrog Newcastle into the top four.

Didier Drogba’s third goal of the season was the platform for a win sealed by late goals from Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge.

Magpies keeper Tim Krul pulled off a string of fine saves, including one from Frank Lampard’s 14th-minute penalty, to keep the visitors at bay before the late flurry, but the home side were denied by the woodwork on three separate occasions.

Afterwards Villas-Boas confirmed the club had accepted transfer requests from Alex and Nicolas Anelka. The pair were missing from the squad at Newcastle amid reports that they had been ordered to train with the reserves after being told they are no long part of the manager’s plans.

Arsenal moved into fifth place with a thumping 4-0 win over Wigan at the DW Stadium.

The hosts were undone by two goals in two minutes just before the half-hour mark as first Mikel Arteta’s shot evaded Ali Al Habsi’s grasp and then Thomas Vermaelen nodded in a corner.

Arsenal added to their lead in the 61st minute as Gervinho made it three before Robin van Persie added his customary goal 12 minutes from time.

Shane Long’s late goal helped West Brom rescue a point with a 1-1 draw in a match QPR will be wondering how they failed to win. The Rs looked set to propel themselves into the top half when Heidar Helguson netted for the fourth successive league match.

Ayegbeni Yakubu single-handedly eased the pressure on under-fire Blackburn boss Steve Kean with a spectacular four-goal salvo to sink Swansea 4-2 at Ewood Park.

Yakubu set Rovers on their way with a 20th-minute opener and finished the job from the penalty spot eight minutes from time .

But despite a win which lifted Rovers off the bottom of the table, Kean still felt the ire of some home fans who continued to chant for his dismissal.

High-flying Tottenham made easy work of Bolton with a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe at White Hart Lane.