Sergio Aguero fires hat-trick as City cruise to win over Newcastle
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Updated 20/01/2018 at 20:22 GMT
Premier League, Etihad Stadium - New
Sergio Aguero celebrates against Newcastle.
Image credit: Eurosport
Manchester City restored their 12-point lead over Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table courtesy of Sergio Aguero's treble in a 3-1 win over Newcastle.
United had briefly cut the gap to nine points after Anthony Martial's strike gave them a 1-0 win at Burnley earlier in the afternoon, but City remain relentless in their pursuit of the title with Aguero netting the opener on 34 minutes, adding a penalty on 63 before finishing off a lovely move prompted by Leroy Sane on 83 minutes.
From the outset, City dominated possession and diligently attempted to break down the visitors’ rigid defence. Newcastle sat deep and used the offside trap to great effect, most notably when Raheem Sterling put the ball in the back of the net after some delightful build-up play from Sane and David Silva.
The deadlock was finally broken when Aguero met Kevin De Bruyne’s fierce cross with a glancing header into the bottom corner of Karl Darlow’s goal.
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Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) battles with Jacob Murphy of Newcastle.
Image credit: Getty Images
Aguero doubled his tally from the penalty spot when Javi Manquillo brought Sterling down in the area - the decision was clear for referee Paul Tierney. Newcastle earned a consolation when Jacob Murphy completed a rare counter attack with a well-placed finish for his first Newcastle goal.
But Aguero put the game beyond reach with a simple left-footed finish from 10 yards after Sane beat three defenders to provide the assist. Newcastle remain in 15th place, two points clear of the relegation zone.
TALKING POINT: Will Newcastle survive the drop this season?
With uncertainty surrounding their ownership, Newcastle sit only two points above the drop as they aim to avoid successive Premier League relegations. Some may contest that they have a squad with enough top-flight quality, but based on the defensive nous they showed in this game - and others against bigger sides this season - they should have the fortitude to avoid the drop.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Sergio Aguero
The striker was in resplendent form as he brought his goal tally to the season to 22 in all competitions. He has scored eight goals past Newcastle in their last two league visits to the Etihad Stadium.
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Sergio Agüero celebrates
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Manchester City Ederson 6, Walker 7, Stones 7, Otamendi 7, Zinchenko 7, Fernandinho 7, Silva 8, De Bruyne 8, Sterling 8, Sané 8, Agüero 9..subs: Bernardo 6, Diaz 6
Newcastle Darlow 7, Dummett 7, Clark 7, Lascelles 6, Manquillo 6, Murphy 7, Diame 6, Atsu 5, Hayden 6, Shelvey 7, Joselu 7...subs: Yedlin 6, Perez 6, Gayle 6
KEY MOMENTS
- 34 - GOAL! City finally make the breakthrough! De Bruyne crosses from the left and Aguero delicately glides a header in the bottom-right corner. It's not entirely clear if Aguero got a touch but he's claiming it!
- 63 - GOAL! Sergio Aguero buries the penalty, which was won by Sterling under pressure from Manquillo. Darlow went the right way, but couldn't get his hands to it.
- 67 - GOAL! A counter attack that came from nowhere! Clark plays a delightful through ball to Jacob Murphy, who shows excellent compsure to beat Zinchenko and lift the ball over Ederson!
- 83 - GOAL! Aguero gets his hat-trick! Leroy Sane weaves into the box and beats three defenders before picking out Aguero near the penalty spot. It's a simple finish for Aguero, but devstatingly brilliant build-up from Sane.
KEY STATS
- The aggregate score in Newcastle’s last five league visits to the Etihad is 22-2.
- Sergio Agüero has been directly involved in 16 league goals against Newcastle (14 goals and two assists)
- Man City are 21 games unbeaten against Newcastle in the league—their longest run against any Premier League side.
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