"I am very happy now. I am happy for the five goals, but for me it was more important the three points."
, Sergio Aguero 03 October 2015.
Amazingly Aguero was touch and go to continue for the second half in which he completed the fastest five Premier League goals ever. He underwent treatment on his hamstring at half time, which eventually led to his substitution on 66', having put the game well beyond a shell shocked Newcastle side.
If ever a game was summed up by the clichéd "game of two halves", this was it. Newcastle exploited City's, now habitual, slow start to the first half to attack with pace and purpose, eventually getting their deserved opener on 18'. Zabaleta, returned to the side ahead of Sagna at right back, showed ring rust as he lunged into a challenge which was never his to win. A grateful Mbabu skipped on to provide the ball to Wijnaldum, and his chipped cross was headed home by Mitrovic 0 vs. 1, whilst the City defence looked on. It could have been worse, as Mitrovic questionably beat the offside only for Hart to save ten minutes later.
As City laboured their way to half time, a touch of magic from Silva turned the game on its head with a fabulous reverse cross to Fernandinho, following a swift one two with Zabaleta; Fernandinho headed accurately back across the box for Aguero to nod past a stranded Krul. Thus began the transformation of a player who had not scored a Premier League goal in 424 minutes, since City's win over Chelsea on 16 August, back to an unplayable goal machine.
The second half was all about a magnificent performance from the trio of De Bruyne, Silva, and the indomitable Aguero, however I will make mention for the second time in a week about Jesus Navas' contribution. Navas came on at half time for Sterling, who though far from the worst performer in the first half, was doing nothing particularly well. As per the Borussia game Navas' contribution was key, he moved both himself and the ball at pace, creating space in abundance for De Bruyne and Silva to exploit. If Sterling starts to do this he is undoubtedly a better player, but until he does I would expect to continue to see Navas with regular playing time.
Aguero's next two goals came within the space of a minute on 49' and 50', the first a deflected left foot effort from the edge of the box, and the second a sublime chip from a similar position, the ball, having been slid through by De Bruyne. Three one is still a dangerous score line in my eyes so the addition of the fourth only two minutes later finally settled the nerves. Navas jinked and then crossed from the right and Kevin De Bruyne, sideways to goal, managed a perfect volley, guiding the ball over and past a stranded Krul. 1 vs 4 "Game-Over", only it wasn't, there were still 37 minutes to play and City were suddenly on fire.
On 60' Aguero was again set free on the edge of the Newcastle penalty area, this time from the left, ghosting enough space to score a spectacular curling shot inside the right post from twenty yards, the Etihad went wild! Three minutes later he was at it again, latching on to a De Bruyne low cross to score his fifth and City's sixth on the day.
At this point, whilst Fantasy Managers who had showed faith in the Argentinian were on cloud nine, Manuel Pellegrini reminded himself that Aguero was injured and he was substituted for another player in need of goals, Wilfried Bony. Every credit to the suffering Toon Army who applauded Kun off the field just as loudly as the home support.
The remaining 25 minutes could have brought more goals but didn't. It was nice to see Iheanacho get a good run out and to see City once again top of the League. The slow starts remain a worry but its hard to be too critical when your watching such joyous cavalier football, that even Barca would be proud of.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
