However, Aguero also appeared to throw an elbow at defender Winston Reid and, if judged to have been deliberate, may face retrospective punishment.
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Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their third goal in the English Premier League match against West Ham at the Etihad Stadium August 28, 2016.
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble suggested Reid’s speech had been affected by the blow. “So credit for him for really giving me that boost”.
Guardiola had said in pre-season that it would take several months for his side to truly get to grips with his methods, but there were signs that the squad are already taking his demands on board. The injury toll that has plagued West Ham in the early season, particularly the absence of playmaker Dimitri Payet, was obviously keenly felt with Willy Caballero – once more replacing Joe Hart who was on City’s bench – a virtual spectator.
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic played down the matter and said that Reid’s substitution had nothing to do with the incident. A ban would mean that the Argentina global would miss Manchester City’s first game after the worldwide break – the crucial Manchester Derby at Old Trafford.
Football must have seemed easy for Raheem Sterling, from when he was a kid right up until last season after completing his controversial £49 million transfer from Liverpool to Manchester City. “Hopefully nothing happens. If it happens, we accept and adapt. If you want to help us, want to stay, want to be part of something, it depends on him, not me”.
At least one flawless record will go when United play City at Old Trafford in the first round of games after the worldwide break. Manchester City were left top of the Premier League heading into the global break following a 3-1 win at home to West Ham United yesterday.
The result means that City are top of the Premier League – they have a better goal difference than Chelsea and Manchester United.
Sterling has scored twice and picked up three assists in just four appearances under Guardiola – it took him Manuel Pellegrini’s last 22 matches in charge to contribute to five goals at the end of the 2015-16 campaign.
Finally, Sterling won it for City with a brilliant goal.
In the meantime, Sterling scored his first goal of the season following a fine move and Fernandinho added his first in the league since the same weekend a year ago.
Fernandinho had the answer in the 18th minute, rising unmarked to meet a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick and head past Adrian from seven yards.
Bilic said: “I didn’t see it at all”.
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Sterling’s second goal in stoppage time, however, secured the win.
