Manchester City kept pace with Premier League leaders Chelsea on Boxing Day with a comfortable 3-1 victory away to West Bromwich Albion.

The champions scored all of their goals during a dominant first-half display as Fernando, Yaya Toure and David Silva all found the net.

West Brom were rewarded for their improved performance after the break when Brown Ideye scored a late consolation, but it was not enough to stop the Baggies losing for the fourth time in six games.

Here, Sports Mole rates the performances of those involved in the match at The Hawthorns.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Goal

Ben Foster: The Baggies' goalkeeper did not always look convincing between the sticks. Made a poor error for City's first goal and struggled to assert himself after that. (6/10)

Defence

Andre Wisdom: Was part of a West Brom defence that found it hard to contain the slippery City attack. Was given the runaround by Navas, particularly in the first half. (5/10)

Gareth McAuley: Failed to give his goalkeeper enough cover in the centre of defence, despite the away team's lack of a recognised striker. (5/10)

Joleon Lescott: Had an afternoon to forget against his former employers. Made a woeful error for City's third goal, giving the ball away in a key position. (5/10)

Sebastien Pocognoli: As with his defensive teammates, Pocognoli often looked overwhelmed at the back during a tough 90 minutes for the hosts. (5/10)

Midfield

James Morrison: Provided the hosts with a bit of a creative spark in midfield, though the Scot had a habit of drifting in and out of the game. (6/10)

Youssouf Mulumbu: Back in the starting lineup, Mulumbu had a largely forgettable afternoon in an important area of the pitch. Could have found the net in the first half, but his poor shot came to nothing. (5/10)

Stephane Sessegnon: As with the majority of West Brom's midfield, the Benin international could not remain consistent throughout the match. Enjoyed one or two promising moments, only to slip into obscurity late on. (6/10)

Craig Gardner: It was a subdued afternoon for Gardner, who struggled to provide his usual box-to-box running and threat in front of goal. (5/10)

Silvestre Varela: One of West Brom's brightest players, Varela looked dangerous down the left and occasionally gave the City defenders something to think about. (6/10)

Attack

Saido Berahino: A decent showing overall for the youngster, but his poor finishing let him down. Had a couple of chances to get his side back in the match, only to fluff his lines. (7/10)

Substitutes

Cristian Gamboa: Failed to offer the Baggies much when he came off the bench with around 25 minutes remaining. (5/10)

Chris Brunt: Got stuck in as soon as he entered the action and played a key part in West Brom's resurgence late on. (6/10)

Brown Ideye: The big-money signing finally got his goal for West Brom as the ball fortuitously bounced off his head from a corner before going in. Did not do much else apart from that. (5/10)

MANCHESTER CITY

Goal

Joe Hart: Committed a dreadful error for West Brom's consolation, though this came at the end of an otherwise solid display. (7/10)

Defence

Bacary Sagna: A good day at the office for the Frenchman, who bombed up and down the right flank in impressive fashion. (7/10)

Martin Demichelis: Looked steady enough at the back for the champions, though he was caught out of position a couple of times. (7/10)

Eliaquim Mangala: After a good display in the first half, the centre-back looked sloppy after the break. Almost cost his side a goal when he gave the ball away around his own box. (6/10)

Gael Clichy: Got forward whenever he could and also did a good job in stifling West Brom's attackers. (7/10)

Midfield

Jesus Navas: Put in an excellent performance down the right flank, linking brilliantly with his teammates to give the West Brom defence nightmares. (8/10)

Fernando: Anchored City's midfield with plenty of authority. Took his goal really well, hooking the ball into the net with a clever improvised effort. (7/10)

Yaya Toure: Not one of the Ivorian's stand-out games, but he was rewarded for his overall effort with an important second goal for the visitors. (7/10)

Samir Nasri: Worked well with Navas and Silva as a magic three for City in midfield. Came off with 25 minutes left after a bit of a kicking from the West Brom players. (7/10)

David Silva: Pulled most of the strings for City in midfield on another wonderful afternoon for the Spaniard. His goal to put his side 3-0 up was textbook, opening up on his left foot before curling the ball past Foster and into the far corner. (9/10)

Attack

James Milner: The makeshift striker did what he does best: give his all for the cause. Almost found the net in the first half with a poacher's goal, but was denied by Foster. (8/10)

Substitutes

Aleksandar Kolarov: Adapted quickly to the pace of the game and made himself known with some good crosses from the left. (7/10)

Fernandinho: Battled doggedly during the final 20 minutes or so as West Brom tried to dominant and get themselves back into the game. (7/10)

Frank Lampard: Added an element of composure to City's midfield for the remaining quarter of an hour on his 590th Premier League appearance. (7/10)