Aguero scores twice as City run riot
FA Premier League
Wednesday 03 December 2014, 19.45 KO
City: Hart, Zabaleta, Boyata, Demichelis, Clichy, Fernandinho, Toure, Nasri (Pozo 83), Navas, Jovetic (Milner 56), Aguero (Lampard 74)
Unused: Caballero, Sagna, Fernando, Angelino
Goals: Aguero (21 & 71), Jovetic (39), Zabaleta (55)
Booked: Boyata
Referee: Craig Pawson
After Sunday's emphatic away against high flying Southampton, Manchester City travelled to Sunderland, knowing that they couldn't afford to slip up there as they have done in previous seasons. The previous four visits to The Stadium of Light had all resulted in 1-0 defeats for the Blues.
With Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala both missing the game through injury and suspension respectively, Dedryk Boyata and Martin Demichelis started at the back. The rest of the XI was the same side that dismantled Southampton.
City started the game brightly, moving the ball around well, but soon found themselves a goal down when Connor Wickham's effort deflected in past Joe Hart. In recent years, City have struggled to break Sunderland down, but found themselves back in the game almost immediately courtesy of a wonder goal from Sergio Aguero. The in-form Argentine nutmegged Sebastian Coates, before smashing the ball past Costel Pantilimon from just inside the box to draw the Citizens level.
City grew in confidence and began to dominate possession. Nasri, Jovetic and Navas were all interchanging beautifully, moving the ball with pace and precision, and soon got their reward, with Jovetic firing home Aguero's exquisite cushioned pass.
It gave City the platform they needed in order to express themselves in the second half. There were signs in the Southampton game that City were starting to find their rhythm from last season, and this was another impressive away performance. The Blues were never really troubled by Sunderland, and extended their lead when Zabaleta played a neat one-two with Nasri before chipping the ball expertly over the onrushing Pantilimon.
There was still time for Aguero to add another, with the striker cushioning in James Milner's accurate cross to cap off a fine performance from City. The Blues appears to be finding their form just as the season enters a crucial stage.