Sergio Aguero’s exquisite solo strike and late goals by Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho earned Manchester City a 3-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday in the first heavyweight showdown in this season’s English Premier League, compounding the champions’ early-season problems.
Aguero made amends for a slew of early missed chances by exchanging passes with Yaya Toure, twisting inside his marker and placing a pinpoint shot inside the far post in the 32nd minute.
Such was City’s dominance and attacking threat in the first half that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho substituted captain John Terry at half-time to shake up his team.
Photo: AP
A hungry-looking City retained the initiative, though. Kompany headed in David Silva’s corner in the 79th minute and Fernandinho drove in a third goal six minutes later for a victory that could have a big psychological effect in the title race, even as early as the second round of fixtures.
“We always dominate Chelsea,” City coach Manuel Pellegrini said. “Maybe we draw against them [twice] last year and before we lost, but always we dominate Chelsea. Today we made the complete work.”
Chelsea were a shadow of the side that won the title at a canter last season, finishing eight points ahead of second-placed City. The champions now have one point from two games and are without a win this season, having also lost to Arsenal in the Community Shield.
Mourinho refused to accept his side was beaten by the better team, saying the final result was “completely fake,” although he did say that Chelsea were “defensively poor in the first half.”
Mourinho’s uncomfortable start to the season has also seen him become embroiled in a spat with members of his medical staff, leading to the first-team doctor and head physiotherapist being dropped from match-day duties against City.
Things are looking much rosier for a rejuvenated City, who have won their first two matches 3-0 and are top of the standings on goal difference.
City’s players displayed the hunger and aggression they often lacked last season, with Chelsea unable to cope with the power of Toure in midfield and the movement of Aguero up front.
Aguero, back in the starting team after being on the bench against West Brom, was often unplayable and was denied three times by stand-in goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in the opening 20 minutes before finally putting City ahead.
The goal was a thing of a beauty, as Aguero wriggled free in a tight area and made Gary Cahill and Terry look like statues. Last season’s top scorer in the Premier League is up and running.
“I think Sergio Aguero is in the best moment of his career,” Pellegrini said. “I believe this season he can be even better.”
If the goal came out of nothing, it had certainly been coming on the run of play and it could have been 2-0 before half-time, with Raheem Sterling shooting over and Eliaquim Mangala glancing a header wide from a free-kick, despite a gaping goal to aim at.
Such was Mourinho’s concern that he substituted Terry — the first time that has happened in 177 matches as Chelsea coach. Terry played every minute of last season’s title-winning campaign.
Chelsea had more possession in the second half, but only had their first shot on target in the 70th minute.
Kompany’s header — for his second goal of the season — ended any realistic chances of a Chelsea comeback and Fernandinho prolonged the party atmosphere inside the Etihad Stadium with his thunderbolt finish after the visiting defense failed to clear their lines.
Pellegrini, usually so reserved, punched the air with delight at the final whistle.
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