Carlos Tevez celebrated his 27th birthday by keeping Manchester City on course for a Champions League spot with a first-half hat-trick against West Brom.

It was the Argentina striker's third treble of his City career and took his tally for the season to 20 goals. He was given a standing ovation when he came off four minutes from time.

It was just the result manager Roberto Mancini was looking for as it came on the day a minute's applause was held in memory of former favourite Neil Young, who died recently after a long battle against cancer.

City almost took the lead in the fourth minute when West Brom defender Paul Scharner failed to cut out a cross from Aleksandar Kolarov.

Tevez was perfectly positioned and got in a first-time shot that beat goalkeeper Boaz Myhill but he saw it come back off the post.

Albion responded in the 12th minute. Chris Brunt delivered a well-struck free-kick on the edge of the area but goalkeeper Joe Hart diverted his effort to safety.

A minute later Hart was again forced into action, tipping a looping header from Jonas Olsson over the bar.

City made the breakthrough in the 17th minute with Steven Reid punished for barging Kolarov. Tevez sent Myhill the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Tevez extended their lead in the 22nd minute after skipping into the area following a one-two with David Silva before finding the corner with his effort.

West Brom continued to be pegged back and Olsson did well to block Silva's path to goal in the 31st minute after he had linked up with Yaya Toure.

A minute later Myhill reacted superbly to get the slightest touch to a Kolarov thunderbolt and touch it onto the bar.