Pearce improves job prospects

Manchester City moved within four points of an unlikely European place as Stuart Pearce enhanced his chances of landing the manager’s job on a permanent basis.

The rejuvenated Blues recorded their biggest Barclays Premiership win since August, and the chants of ‘Psycho, Psycho’ directed at the home dug-out left no room for wondering who the Blues fans want to lead their club next season.

Chairman John Wardle has pledged not to rush into an appointment, preferring to wait until the dust has settled in the summer before he makes a final decision. But unless Martin O’Neill suddenly decides to leave Celtic, it is virtually inconceivable Wardle will look beyond Pearce.

The hosts did enjoy a large degree of good fortune when they took the lead, Robbie Fowler’s header bouncing back off a post before hitting Maik Taylor and rolling in.

After that though, City seized command. Richard Dunne doubled City’s lead when he brushed off Emile Heskey’s weak challenge to nod home 10 minutes from time, and Antoine Sibierski rounded off the win when he stroked home a late penalty after Morrison had handled.

“I was pretty disappointed with our first-half performance,” said Pearce.