Fulham humbled by masterful Aguero

Sergio Aguero turned in a man-of-the-match display as Manchester City defeated Fulham 3-0.

Aguero drove home his 18th goal of the season from the penalty spot after 10 minutes after Adam Johnson went down in the box, then set up strike partner Edin Dzeko with some unselfish work after half-time.

And with Chris Baird turning Johnson's cross into his own net in between the two strikes, City were not hindered by the wintry conditions that even left the fans to chant for the end long before the five minutes' injury time had been completed.

Aside from Damien Duff's angled drive, Fulham offered little in the first half and the game would have been over had it not been for Brede Hangeland, who threw himself in the way of a goalbound Dzeko strike.

In the second period, the visitors hit the post when a cross-shot from Bryan Ruiz flicked off Dzeko before rolling to safety but the home side had already secured the win.

City opened up a three-point lead over fierce rivals Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League with the victory, while Fulham are still searching for their first away point this year.