"Aguerno?" Sergio silences Old Trafford crowd with superb winner
By Aaron Leggott
Magic - one of the many superlatives appropriate for the goal that closed the gap at the top of the Premier League to 12 points on Monday night.
David Silva, nicknamed Merlin, is more commonly seen by City fans as the magician in the team but Sergio Aguero's winner at Old Trafford created parallels to the goal which carved his name into the record books last May.
 |
| Agueeroooooooo: Sergio grabs the winner against United MCFC Facebook page |
In terms of significance, the goals' were polar opposites - but Aguero's sudden turn of pace had Phil Jones and co. scrambling, just like against QPR.
Perhaps it was fitting that an Argentine scored the winner on the day Margaret Thatcher died - but I'll leave that judgement to you.
City were the much better team and left people questioning why they haven't played like this all season. A performance similar to the many produced in the previous campaign as Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez and James Milner were the stand out performers in a determined victory.
In truth, United were once again found out tactically in a big game. After Chelsea triumphed just a week earlier, City played the occasion perfectly through possession football - with the aim of wearing out their opponents.
And it nearly paid off midway through the first half. A superb pass from Vincent Kompany evaded the United backline, with Tevez nearly getting on the end of the Silva cross.
Ferguson's men defended well in the first half, pushing City out wide and dealing with the crosses comfortably.
 |
| James Milner opens the scoring for City MCFC Facebook page |
United hit back immediately through an unfortunate goal just seven minutes later. After Yaya Toure was penalised for fouling Rafael on the edge of the box, Robin van Persie swung in a deadly cross to meet the head of Phil Jones.
Jones seemed to divert the cross away from goal, but the ball deflected off Vincent Kompany's back and into the goal.
The goal came in United's only period of domination throughout the 90 minutes and in truth they were looking the most likely team to grab a winner following Kompany's own goal, but some magnificent tactical changes by Roberto Mancini swinged the game back into City's favour.
Off went Nasri, replaced by Aguero - and I think he must be every United fan's nightmare. With just 15 minutes remaining, Aguero's darting run past three United defenders before striking the ball home delighted the fans that adore him as City were able to hold on to a valuable three points.
A very satisfying performance and victory, and what a superb way to clinch it!
ReplyDeleteThe injury to Merlin must be a worry with Chelsea in mind, and I wonder if Mancini will again put Aguero on the bench, and start with Tevez?
We shall no doubt find out in the next few days.