NBC on Yahoo SportsManchester City 6-1 Newcastle United: Aguero’s five spot embarrasses McClaren’s Magpies
Manchester City took a while to break through Newcastle United’s formation, but once it did it left behind a shambles.
Sergio Aguero scored five goals in 20 minutes of play and Kevin De Bruyne also scored as City countered Newcastle’s 1-0 lead with a 6-1 final score line.
City moves above Manchester United for the time being, claiming the No. 1 slot with 18 points.
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored Newcastle’s goal, and the Magpies dropped into 20th on the table thanks to goal differential and Sunderland’s 2-2 draw vs. West Ham.
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The Magpies had the first few chances of the match, but danger soon came their way.
Tim Krul was very fortunate inside of eight minutes, when he couldn’t hold a diving save before seeing Vincent Kompany pass the rebound right to his foot. After a scramble, Newcastle cleared.
The next good chance came for Newcastle, as 20-year-old deputizing left back Kevin Mbabu sent a curling pass into the 18. Mitrovic got a touch on the ball, but Joe Hart was wise and collected the would-be opener.
Mitrovic did find his goal, however, when he headed home and in-tight pass from Giorginio Wijnaldum. It was game-on at the Etihad with Newcastle up 1-0.
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Though Mitrovic had another chance denied by Hart soon after, City carried the attack through the first half, with a dangerous free kick from Kevin De Bruyne headed wide and Fernandinho belting a 20-yard shot wide of the goal as well.
Newcastle’s chances came on the counter, as Steve McClaren’s choice of an attacker at holding mid in Wijnaldum at times looked inspired, particularly on the goal but also when a 39th minute chance was snuffed out by Hart.
Sergio Aguero found the equalizer before halftime, though, thanks to miserable marking from Newcastle. David Silva‘s cross looped over the defense to an unmarked Fernandinho, who headed back across to an unmarked Aguero. 1-1, 42’.
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Newcastle promptly fell apart.
Aguero put City ahead on the other side of halftime when he took advantage of a miserable Chancel Mbemba clearance, and had his shot deflected by a sliding Yoan Gouffran.
City got the ball back soon after the next kickoff, and Aguero wasted little time in completing his hat trick. The Argentine got on the end of a De Bruyne diagonal, and it was 3-1.
De Bruyne scored his goal in the 54th minute, a simply marvelous side volley that left Krul helpless. Aguero made it five before the game was an hour old, as Mbemba and the Magpies heartlessly allowed him all the time he needed to beat Krul.
And again!! De Bruyne to Aguero, who slid in front of his mark to score from close range.
