Four-goal Aguero sinks Spurs
MAN CITY 4
(Sergio Aguero 13, 20-pen, 68-pen, 76)
TOTTENHAM 1
(Christian Eriksen 15)
Whenever Sergio Aguero plays, Mauricio Pochettino says he hears classical music in his head.
If the Tottenham manager stayed true to his word, he would have thoroughly enjoyed the Argentine concerto at the Etihad Stadium yesterday.
The Manchester City striker served up a performance so delightful, the tune would have continued to buzz in Pochettino's ears long into the night.
Four goals by the little Argentinian - two from the spot - helped the hosts to a 4-1 victory over Spurs, as the defending champions continue to keep the pressure on league leaders Chelsea.
But he could so easily have scored more, if not for Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris' heroics.
Still, this was just the sort of sublime display which Pochettino, before the match, likens to a performance by Mozart.
Aguero revelled in his role as the soloist, supported by the likes of James Milner, David Silva and Jesus Navas who were only too happy to play the accompaniment.
Thirteen minutes into a pulsating game, he drew first blood.
Spurs thought they had him in their back pocket when he received the ball in a closely-guarded penalty area.
First, a pause, as he sized up the situation, before a flick to the right to create the space for his shot.
The final product was a cold, calculated strike into the bottom corner of goal.
He was only getting started.
Spurs' fightback was swift, but ultimately short-lived.
ENTERPRISING
They equalised almost instantly through Christian Eriksen and, in truth, it was just what they deserved for their enterprising attacking play.
They had will, but City had Aguero.
Five minutes on, City were in front again, and who else but Aguero to deliver the blow.
Frank Lampard won a penalty, and Aguero stepped up to put his effort past Lloris in the first of several personal duels between the Spurs goalkeeper and him.
At about the half-hour mark, it was Lloris' turn to come out on top.
The Frenchman saved Aguero's spot-kick to ensure the visitors go into the break with hopes of getting something out of this match still intact.
But Aguero was not to be denied a second time.
When he won for himself City's third penalty of the match in the 68th minute, it was all over for Spurs, who also had the offender Federico Fazio sent off in the process.
This time, he buried his penalty into the bottom corner emphatically to put the issue beyond doubt.
Yet, there was still time for a proper finale.
By then, Aguero was swaying to a rhythm the Spurs' defence couldn't quite follow.
Fourteen minutes from time, with a swipe of his left foot, he buried his fourth goal of the game to make Pochettino's day.
Spurs have been torn to shreds by a football virtuoso.
I’m very happy. We are really happy. The (Man-ofthe- Match) trophy is for the team because the team helped me get the goals.
— Four-goal hero Sergio Aguero
61
Sergio Aguero is now Man City’s all-time Premier League top scorer with 61 goals, ahead of Carlos Tevez with 58.
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