A virtuoso performance from Sergio Aguero earned Manchester City a 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League yesterday, the Argentine scoring all his side’s goals in an incident-packed clash at The Etihad.
For long periods of the game, Tottenham worried the champions, but Aguero — described as a soccer Mozart the previous day by Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino — was the difference.
He opened the scoring after 13 minutes with an angled drive past Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, before Christian Eriksen equalized almost immediately.
Photo: Reuters
Aguero restored City’s lead after 20 minutes, stroking home a penalty after Erik Lamela had been adjudged to have bundled over City veteran midfielder Frank Lampard.
Aguero’s second was his 59th league goal for City, taking him past compatriot Carlos Tevez as the club’s record scorer in the Premier League.
A 60th beckoned shortly afterward when Younes Kaboul’s rash challenge on David Silva resulted in another spot kick, but this time Aguero’s strike was blocked by Lloris’ leg and he volleyed the rebound over the bar.
Photo: EPA
Roberto Soldado wasted a penalty for Spurs in the second half, and it proved costly for his side, as Aguero completed his hat-trick with the day’s fourth spot kick after Fabrizio Fabio was red-carded for tugging back the rampant Argentine.
Aguero then thrashed home his fourth of the day from outside the area to end the hopes of the visitors, who have now conceded 15 goals in their past three league games against City.
City’s win moved them two points behind leaders Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United’s home game against Leicester City was delayed because of concerns over the safety of a giant video screen inside St James’ Park.
“There is currently a short delay in opening the turnstiles for today’s game whilst an issue with the new screen is being addressed,” a club statement said.
There was no word on how long the kickoff would be delayed.
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