LA Galaxy gives New York City FC a 5-goal beating courtesy of Robbie Keane

Los Angeles Galaxy captain Robbie Keane stole the show at the StubHub Center on Sunday, recording two goals and a pair of assists in a 5-1 win over their east-coast visitors New York City FC.

The encounter between these two Designated Player-heavy teams was billed as the reunion battle between Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard but with the latter ruled out with injury, it came down to Keane to show the neutrals he was the brightest star on the field.

The Galaxy got the ball rolling just past the half-hour mark, Juninho tricking New York with a quick free kick and finding Keane on the right wing. The Republic of Ireland captain swung a cross into the box and found Gyasi Zardes, who headed home the effort, cool as you like, in the 36th minute.

Los Angeles scored its second goal of the game in the second half. Once again, Juninho and Keane were instrumental in the play. Juninho picked out Giovani Dos Santos out wide, and the Mexican star waited patiently and watched as Keane broke the lines with a smart run.

Dos Santos picked out a perfect through pass and found Keane, who finished the effort with a cheeky chip over the diving 'keeper, Josh Saunders. Twelve minutes later, the two swapped roles, Keane playing provider for Dos Santos in an eerily-similar looking goal to give LA a three-goal lead.

Gerrard, not quite pleased at being left out, got an assist of his own for a fourth goal, scored by Sebastian Lletget with a simple tap-in. Spanish icon David Villa pulled one back with an 80th-minute penalty goal, making it 4-1, but Keane then reminded New York who's boss, scoring soon after with a smart combination run alongside Robbie Rogers.

(Courtesy: LA Galaxy)

That would do it for these two teams as LA manager Bruce Arena celebrates his 112th win with the Galaxy, moving to a joint-top position in league history.