Aguero shines in City victory
FA Premier League
Saturday 18 October 2014, 12.45 KO
City: Hart, Sagna, Kompany (c), Demichelis, Clichy, Fernando (Toure 76), Lampard (Fernandinho 28), Silva (Jovetic 70), Navas, Aguero
Unused: Caballero, Kolarov, Boyata, Dzeko
Goals: Aguero (13, 20, 68, 75)
Booked: Navas
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Man of the Match: Sergio Aguero
Following the imternational break, City to hosted Spurs in the Premier League's early kick off on Saturday. The game was billed as the most interesting fixture of the weekend, and it certainly did not disappoint, featuring some scintillating football, calamitous defending, and further assurance that Sergio Aguero is the best striker in the Premier League.
In City's defence, Bacary Sagna was preferred to Zabaleta, as was Gael Clichy over Aleksandr Kolarov. Martin Demichelis replaced the injured Eliaquim Mangala, although the French international is set to return for the Champions League game against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday. In midfield, Manuel Pellegrini opted for Frank Lampard and Fernando, with James Milner and Jesus Navas operating from the wings and David Silva given the free role behind Sergio Aguero.
City started on the front foot and took the lead through the fabulous Aguero, who swivelled before hammering a shot low into the right hand corner. From this, we expected City to kick on, but Spurs levelled almost instantly through Christian Eriksen after sloppy play from Fernando. City soon regained control though, and were given a fortunate penalty after Lamela was harshly adjudged to have pushed Lampard in the area. Sergio Aguero stepped up and dispatched the penalty with ease, restoring City's lead.
City were in the ascendancy and were given yet another penalty when David Silva was clumsily uphended by Younes Kaboul. This time, however, Aguero missed his spot kick, firing straight at Hugo Lloris. At half time, City went in ahead but were looking vulnerable defensively.
Tottenham started the second half brightly, with the impressive Christian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli interchanging excellently. They caused Gael Clichy and Martin Demichelis all sorts of problems, and the latter clumsily fouled Roberto Soldado to give Spurs a great chance to get back into the game. The Spaniard, however, saw his penalty saved by Joe Hart, who was excellent throughout the game.
City made the most of the reprieve, and were given yet another penalty (the fourth of the game) after Fazio clumsily bundled Aguero over with the striker poised to convert a cross from Jesus Navas. The Spurs defender was, perhaps harshly, shown a red card and when Aguero confidently dispatched the penalty, the points were secure. There was still time, however, for the wonderful Argentine to add a fourth, lashing in an excellent left footed finish after a through ball from Fernandinho. The scoreline was perhaps harsh on Spurs, but it was further indication that City possess incredible attacking prowess, and with Aguero in this form it could well be another memorable season.