Kompany 31', Negredo 45' Coutinho 24'
Negredo Navidad for Manuel's minions!
Álvaro Negredo wrapped up a beaming Boxing day present for Manuel Pellegrini on Thursday as Manchester City scrapped and sparred with Liverpool for a potentially pivotal Premier League win.
Undoubtedly City's most austere opponent of the season so far, Liverpool teased and tantalised an inflexible blue back line. However, Manchester City's ninth home win of the 2013/2014 campaign catapulted Kompany and co. into a luxurious second position just one point behind Arsenal.
The league's top scorers martialled the early play with Aleksandar Kolarov whipping a wicked ball into the path of Jesús Navas whose header was denied by the woodwork after just four minutes. However, the league leaders, buoyed by the brilliance of Luis Suárez, responded in rampant fashion when the striker saw his own nod fizz just wide on 13 minutes. The Uruguayan has netted an incredible 19 goals in 12 appearances this season, but he was unable to penetrate a pristine City defence on Thursday evening.
Despite the home side's early dominance, the visitors took the lead mid-way through the half courtesy of some magical play from a titillating Liverpool trio. Suárez and Sterling combined colourfully inside City's 18 yard box to present Philippe Coutinho with an open net to pass in his second goal of the season. The openness of the tie had startled City's stars and a rapid response was imperative.
However, with memories of a previous Merseyside comeback against Everton in mind, Manuel's minions marched mechanically up an elevated Ethihad mountain. Just seven minutes later, Vincent Kompany nodded home from a David Silva corner to put his side back in the game. The Belgian's second goal in consecutive games tranquilised a tremendous Liverpool spell of domination and the blues were back in business.
(Vincent Kompany is hounded by his teammates after equalising for his side)
With the play swinging like a pendulum, both sides failed to take significant opportunities. Just minutes after Kompany's leveller, Jesús Navas led a blistering blue barrage and fired a fearsome shot over Simon Mignolet's bar. Liverpool had chances of their own with the same tremendous trio of Suárez, Sterling and Coutinho connecting in compelling fashion. However, Coutinho's tame effort was gratefully collected by Joe Hart.
With nothing certain apart from the prospect of more goals, Álvaro Negredo fired Manchester City into the lead with just a minute of the first half left to play. Jesús Navas fed in his former Sevilla teammate with a delicious ball and the Spaniard duly struck past Mignolet to score his eighth league goal of the Premier League campaign. The accelaration of City's captivating counter-attacking football had an Etihad crowd salivating, but Brendan Rodgers would have expected his stopper to handle Negredo's shot with relative ease.
(Simon Mignolet's howler gifts Álvaro Negredo his 8th league goal of the season)
Despite witnessing their side march into the break ahead, 'The Coliseum of Catastrophe' sensed a weakness in their gluttonous gladiators. The league's top goalscorer was yet to tuck into his Boxing Day meal and Liverpool's first half performance warranted more than just one goal. With their place at the top of the Premier League tree to preserve, the Merseyside outfit adopted a more malicious approach in the second period.
The best efforts of Luis Suárez to snatch his side a deserved equaliser were swatted away by City's 2011/2012 title winning partnership of Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott and even a customary dive from the South American couldn't swing things in their favour. Squandered opportunities from Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson began to characterise an inauspicious half for the reds and City recorded their hardest fought victory of the season.
Manuel Pellegrini may have preached loneliness before his sides Boxing Day spar with Liverpool, but the Chilean will be hoping for isolating at the top of the table in the new year. City's 100% home record continues to punish the Premier League's elite, and the blues will keep boxing their way towards a very reachable second league title.
Merry Christmas!
Joe Hart 8 - Terrific performance from the England stopper who made a number of crucial saves to prevent Rodger's men from punishing City in their own back yard. 
Pablo Zabaleta 8 - His return settled some Suarez instilled nerves and he battled through a recent hamstring injury to help his side to a wonderful win. Brilliant attacking down the right as usual.
Vincent Kompany 8.5 - Defended with his life and battled brutally with Martin Skrtel to net City's important equaliser.
Joleon Lescott 7 - Struggled with the sublime skill of Luis Suárez but made a couple of crucial tackles.
Aleksandar Kolarov 7 - Much more lively in the first half where his excellent delivery was exhibited once again, however, had to defend in the second and did it comfortably.
David Silva 8 - Helped City win the midfield battle with the elegance and grace we see from the Spaniard every single week.
Fernandinho 8 - Sealed the defence and sprang the attacks in a typically Fernandinho-like performance. What a signing.
Yaya Touré 8 - His presence alone strikes fear into the opposition and he was on hand to create a number of chances for the blues.
Samir Nasri 7.5 - Made up a sublime attacking quintet but was sacrified early for the tirelessness of James Milner.
Jesús Navas 8.5 - Sprang most of City's counter attacking play with his lightning fast speed. Almost scored early on with a header and assisted Negredo's winner.
Álvaro Negredo 8 - Brilliant performance as the lone striker and his goal sealed a significant win for his side.
Substitutes
James Milner 7 - Added a solidity to City's play.
Edin Džeko 7 - Similarly to Negredo, troubled Liverpool's back line with his strength.
Javi García - No time to mark.
Shots on target: Manchester City 6 - 5 Liverpool
