Silva stretchered off as Man City secure easy win over West Ham

MANCHESTER, England --

A bizarre own goal from West Ham's James Collins helped Manchester City back to winning ways in the Premier League but its 2-0 victory was overshadowed by a head injury to David Silva.

Sergio Aguero was also on target as the fallen champions, after a horrendous run of six defeats in eight games, claimed a welcome and routine 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Collins set City on its way when he accidentally lobbed his own goalkeeper Adrian after an attempted interception went wrong before Aguero added to the tally before halftime.

It was not enough to lift City back into the top three but at least increased the gap to fifth-placed Liverpool to seven points in the race for Champions League positions.

The only obvious sour point was a serious-looking injury to Silva, who was carried off on a stretcher with a head injury after a clash with Cheikhou Kouyate.