Raheem Sterling scored his 12th of the season against Huddersfield
Manchester City eased past managerless Huddersfield to move back to four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
David Wagner left the Terriers by mutual consent on Monday with the club bottom of the league, leaving coach Mark Hudson temporarily in charge.
City, who had netted 19 goals in their past three games, were not at their free-scoring best in the first half at the John Smith's Stadium.
But the defending champions went ahead in the 18th minute when Danilo's long-range effort deflected in off the head of Christopher Schindler.
The visitors then struck twice in two minutes after the break to put the game to bed, with Leroy Sane creating the first and scoring the second.
First, the Germany forward whipped in a cross for Raheem Sterling to dive and head in his 12th goal of the season.
Then Sergio Aguero cushioned a header for Sane to run on to and finish past Jonas Lossl.
It was not a vintage display by Pep Guardiola's side but they remain in title contention.
Borussia Dortmund coach Jan Siewert has been approached by Huddersfield for the vacant job, but he will face a mammoth task to keep them in the top flight if he takes over.
This was their ninth defeat in 10 league games and the result leaves the Terriers bottom of the table and 10 points from safety.
- Reaction after Man City win at Huddersfield
With Liverpool edging a seven-goal thriller against Crystal Palace on Saturday, City's mission in Yorkshire was simply to win and stay in touch.
Guardiola tweaked his line-up with Gabriel Jesus, who had scored seven goals in his past three games, dropped to the bench in favour of Aguero, who made his first start since the 2-1 win over Liverpool on 3 January.
City should have been awarded a penalty in the 13th minute when Terence Kongolo went into the back of Sterling.
Danilo's goal lifted a sloppy first half during which even Kevin de Bruyne, usually so assured in possession, was wasteful.
That was City's 100th in all competitions this season - and they are the first side in Europe's top five leagues (England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) to reach the landmark.
Bar the two-goal burst, the visitors were nowhere near their attacking best, even when the two Silvas - Bernardo and David - came on in the second half.
Aguero barely threatened and only managed one shot, a half chance in the first half.
It was not the demolition many had predicted but ultimately it was mission accomplished for City, who have now scored 23 goals without reply and not conceded for 386 minutes.
"The way we played we didn't deserve more than three goals," said Guardiola. "We will improve in the future.
"What we have done so far has been incredible, in the league and the Carabao Cup. We have an incredible number of points. But this game can teach us and show what we have to do to improve.
"We've scored a lot of goals. So far, so good. One team has been better but we're in January and there's many more games to play. We have to focus on what we have to do.
"If Liverpool win, we have to win. And if Liverpool lose, then we also have to win."
Goals a priority for new manager
Wagner's name was sung by the home fans and banners paid tribute to the man who brought Premier League football to the club.
His temporary replacement Hudson was facing a daunting challenge in what may be his only match in charge, but he can feel some relief to have restricted the league's top scorers to just three goals.
The 36-year-old former defender put his own stamp on the team and made six changes to the XI who started Wagner's final game, a 0-0 draw with Cardiff.
But the line-up did not scream goals for a team who are the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season and have now only netted 18 in their past 37 matches in all competitions.
Former Monaco striker Adama Diakhaby started up top but he is yet to score this term, while on-loan Montpellier forward Isaac Mbenza is also goalless.
City keeper Ederson made just two saves, one in each half.
Substitute Steve Mounie had three chances late on, first shooting just wide, then heading at Ederson, and finally scooping a close-range effort wide with the last play of the match.
So goals will be top of the new manager's in-tray, as will be improving the side's dreadful home record. They have the worst in the league with just one win at the John Smith's this season.
"We stuck to the gameplan," said Hudson. "If it wasn't for the deflected goal I think we could have stayed in the longer. After that we were deflated, I could see that, but we fought to the end.
"It's been a tough week, saying goodbye to the boss [Wagner] after three and a half years. What he's created here has been nigh impossible."
Man of the match - Leroy Sane
Sane got a goal and an assist and the German provided the impetus for City's attacking burst in the second half. He has now been involved in 20 goals in his past 17 league starts.City's goal glut, Terriers struggles at home - the best stats
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Since losing 2-1 to Leicester City on 26 December, Manchester City have won their past six matches by an aggregate score of 27-2.
Huddersfield Town have lost five consecutive home league matches for the first time since a run of seven between April and September 2000.
Sane has eight goals and 12 assists in his past 17 Premier League starts (eight goals, 12 assists).
Huddersfield have won none of the 34 Premier League games in which they have conceded the first goal.
Sterling's past two Premier League goals have been headers - only one of his first 57 in the competition came via his head.
Since the start of last season, Huddersfield have failed to score in 32 league matches - nine more than any other side.
Sane and Sterling have combined for six league goals for Manchester City this season - the only two players to combine for more are Bournemouth's Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser (seven goals).
Huddersfield, who are already out of the FA Cup, have a weekend off before hosting Everton in the league on 29 January.
City travel to Burton for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday, leading 9-0 from the first game. Burnley then visit Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, before a league game at Newcastle on 29 January.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Huddersfield
1Lössl
2Smith
26Schindler
5Kongolo
15Löwe
9Kachunga
42Puncheon
6HoggBooked at 43mins
7BacunaBooked at 30minsSubstituted forPritchardat 64'minutes
18Mbenza
11DiakhabySubstituted forMounieat 59'minutes
12Hamer
20Depoitre
21Pritchard
24Mounie
25M Jorgensen
33Hadergjonaj
37Durm
Man City
31Ederson
2WalkerBooked at 27mins
30Otamendi
14Laporte
3Danilo
17De Bruyne
25FernandinhoBooked at 50minsSubstituted forSilvaat 59'minutes
8GündoganSubstituted forDelphat 80'minutes
7Sterling
10Agüero
19SanéSubstituted forBernardo Silvaat 72'minutes
5Stones
18Delph
20Bernardo Silva
21Silva
33Gabriel Jesus
47Foden
49Muric
Referee:
Andre Marriner
Attendance:
24,190
Match Stats
Home TeamHuddersfieldAway TeamMan City
Possession
Home32%
Away68%
Shots
Home5
Away12
Shots on Target
Home2
Away4
Corners
Home1
Away4
Fouls
Home10
Away9
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Huddersfield Town 0, Manchester City 3.Full TimePosted at 90'+4'
Second Half ends, Huddersfield Town 0, Manchester City 3.
Posted at 90'+4'
Attempt missed. Steve Mounie (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from very close range misses to the right.Posted at 90'
Foul by Sergio Agüero (Manchester City).Posted at 90'
Terence Kongolo (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Posted at 89'
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Posted at 89'
Foul by Steve Mounie (Huddersfield Town).Posted at 89'
Hand ball by Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).Posted at 86'
Attempt saved. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by David Silva.Posted at 82'
Attempt saved. Steve Mounie (Huddersfield Town) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Alex Pritchard with a cross.SubstitutionPosted at 80'
Substitution, Manchester City. Fabian Delph replaces Ilkay Gündogan.Posted at 79'
Attempt missed. Steve Mounie (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Isaac Mbenza.Posted at 76'
Foul by Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).Posted at 76'
Alex Pritchard (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.Posted at 76'
Attempt missed. Danilo (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.Posted at 74'
Foul by Sergio Agüero (Manchester City).Posted at 74'
Jonathan Hogg (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick on the right wing.Posted at 72'
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Posted at 72'
Foul by Jonathan Hogg (Huddersfield Town).SubstitutionPosted at 72'
Substitution, Manchester City. Bernardo Silva replaces Leroy Sané.SubstitutionPosted at 64'
Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Alex Pritchard replaces Juninho Bacuna.Posted at 63'
Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.Posted at 63'
Foul by Juninho Bacuna (Huddersfield Town).Posted at 62'
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.Posted at 62'
Foul by Tommy Smith (Huddersfield Town).SubstitutionPosted at 59'
Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Steve Mounie replaces Adama Diakhaby.SubstitutionPosted at 59'
Substitution, Manchester City. David Silva replaces Fernandinho.Posted at 58'
Attempt missed. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Danilo with a cross.
Goal!Posted at 56'
Goal! Huddersfield Town 0, Manchester City 3. Leroy Sané (Manchester City) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Sergio Agüero with a headed pass.
Goal!Posted at 54'
Goal! Huddersfield Town 0, Manchester City 2. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) header from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Leroy Sané with a cross.BookingPosted at 50'
Fernandinho (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.Posted at 50'
Foul by Fernandinho (Manchester City).Posted at 50'
Juninho Bacuna (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Posted at 47'
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Christopher Schindler.Second HalfPosted at
Second Half begins Huddersfield Town 0, Manchester City 1.Half TimePosted at 45'+4'
First Half ends, Huddersfield Town 0, Manchester City 1.Posted at 45'+3'
Offside, Huddersfield Town. Adama Diakhaby tries a through ball, but Elias Kachunga is caught offside.Posted at 45'+2'
Attempt missed. Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kyle Walker.Posted at 44'
Foul by Leroy Sané (Manchester City).Posted at 44'
Elias Kachunga (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Source: bbc.com
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