Manchester City went back to the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.
Joleon Lescott got the winner, his fifth career goal against the side he supported as a boy.
While clearcut chances were at a premium, City were the far better side throughout the game.
After Shay Given had scooped up a low curling effort from David Silva, the Irish goalkeeper then picked up a shot from Gareth Barry.
Adam Johnson had the best chance of the first half but saw his 20-yard effort hit the Villa post, before Sergio Aguero shot high and wide.
Villa were creating nothing in attack, despite plenty of willing running from Robbie Keane and Darren Bent, and City's pressure finally told in the 63rd minute when Gareth Barry headed a corner into the path of Lescott, who hooked the ball home.
It was poor defending from Villa, with Carlos Cuellar particularly culpable for being dragged out of position.
Villa only began to press in the final stages of the game. First, Richard Dunne saw a weak header held by Joe Hart, before the England goalkeeper pulled off a truly magnificent reflex save from Bent.
Irish fans will wait anxiously for news of Dunne, who came off with a shoulder injury, as his former team-mates held on to claim all three points.