Man City win to qualify for Champions League

Edin Dzeko's first-half strike was enough to give Manchester City a hard-fought 1-0 victory over West Brom.

The Baggies started well and Romelu Lukaku spurned three early chances.

Mancini's man secure their place in UCL next season "2014"

City improved and, shortly after Carlos Tevez hit the bar, Dzeko volleyed home from 12 yards.

Markus Rosenberg hit the bar for West Brom in the second half, while Jack Rodwell went close for City who ensured Champions League qualification with the victory.

It was an accomplished performance from Roberto Mancini's men, who made eight changes with Saturday's FA Cup final in mind yet still created enough chances to have won more comfortably.

Only Joe Hart, who is unlikely to play at Wembley, Samir Nasri and James Milner retained their places in the starting line-up as the Blues moved to within three points of clinching the Premier League runners-up spot ahead of Chelsea.

While Mancini may already know his first-choice side for City's second FA Cup final appearance in three years, Tevez and Rodwell will have given him plenty to ponder.

With the Baggies playing three central defenders, including Craig Dawson who is back from a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, the recalled pair dropped into the space created in front of the static backline and caused plenty of problems.

All of City's best moves were orchestrated by Argentine striker Tevez, with Rodwell's late runs from deep lacking a finishing touch which would have added a more flattering look to the scoreline.

But it might have been different if Lukaku had converted one of three good, early chances.

The young Belgian striker capitalised on City's defensive reshuffle to twice shoot on goal from the edge of the box before he headed straight into Hart's grateful arms when unmarked eight yards out.

City were also lucky to keep their full quota on the pitch when Aleksandar Kolarov caught Gabriel Tamas with a high boot which briefly forced the Baggies defender off the pitch for treatment to a bloodied head.