Sergio Aguero hit a hat-trick as Premier League leaders Manchester City got back to winning ways with a 3-1 over Newcastle to restore their 12-point lead at the top.
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Newcastle, meanwhile, barely threatened in the opening stanza as goalkeeper Ederson was not tested at all.
And 17 minutes into the second half Aguero got his and City’s second, cooly converting from the penalty spot after Raheem Sterling was brought down in the area. “It was important how we reacted at 2-1 – we didn’t panic”.
Newcastle rallied, with Jacob Murphy’s first goal for the club four minutes later getting his side back in it, before City goalkeeper Ederson nearly gifted the visitors a leveller but recovered well to deny Mohamed Diame.
City went into the game nine points clear of rivals Manchester United and up against a tough Newcastle defence, but they made the most of the little space they were afforded to secure the win.
“In the Premier League, all of the games are hard”.
Manchester City turn their attention to the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night as Pep Guardiola’s side take a 2-1 lead to Bristol City in the second leg of their semi-final clash. The Geordie, full of pace and bite, seemed to fulfil two roles simultaneously, that of the risky goal-scoring striker and also the treacherously skilled winger, looking to go down the outside of his fullback.
Then, out of nothing City took the lead.
“I read that Newcastle, years ago [in 1996], dropped a 12-point advantage and United won the league”.
“If you try and wait for what happens behind, if we are looking at what they do – that is not a good solution, in my experience”.
John Stones missed a close chance from inside the Newcastle box when his shot, from a David Silva cutback pass, went wide right of Karl Darlow’s goal in the 6th minute. City’s crucial third goal owed everything to Sane’s brilliance on the ball.
Caught flapping on a couple of occasions and didn’t look as solid as we are used to seeing him. Raiding full-backs, advancing defensive midfielders, even cavorting Argentinian centre-backs have played their part in the carnage of the first half of 2017-18. It is the highest total Manchester United can reach and City’s goal difference is 19 better.
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The Brazilian almost gifted Newcastle an equaliser when he spilled shots from Mohamed Diame and Ayoze Perez in quick succession, but City survived and Aguero wrapped things up late on, stroking home left-footed after a remarkable run and cut-back from the excellent Sane.
