A brace from Sergio Aguero has guided Manchester City to a thumping 4-1 win over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium this evening.
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The visitors had the first opening of the match as David Silva tried to tee up Aguero inside the penalty area, but the Argentine could only fire his strike straight at the body of Asmir Begovic.
Stoke responded with two opportunities in a minute as Victor Moses raided forward and unleashed a powerful shot at goal, which forced Joe Hart into a good save as he tipped the ball past the post.
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The Potters thought they had edged ahead in the 20th minute when Moses fired another strike at goal which was parried into the path of Peter Crouch by Hart. The striker placed the ball into the net, but saw his goal disallowed for offside.
Mark Hughes's men continued to apply pressure on City and were inches away from taking the lead as Steven N'Zonzi drilled a low effort at goal, which Hart kept out again. A poor clearance allowed Moses to strike, but his shot went just past the post.
Stoke paid for their lack of clinical edge in front of goal as Aguero fired City in front, collecting the ball on the edge of the area and beating Begovic with a low strike into the bottom corner.
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However, Hughes's side were level within minutes as Marko Arnautovic raided down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross for Crouch to head past Hart.
Just before the break, City had a goal of their own chalked off as Aguero guided the ball into the back of the net with the aid of his hand from close range.
In the second half, Manuel Pellegrini's side upped the ante and duly powered their way into the lead when they strung several passes together to release Samir Nasri down the right, and his cross was guided into the net by the head of Milner.
City were handed the chance to take full control of the match when Geoff Cameron pushed Silva over in the penalty area. Aguero took the spot kick and slotted the ball with ease into the bottom corner.
Nasri put the game beyond doubt for the Citizens when he surged forward from midfield and drilled an effort on the half-volley into the top corner to hand his side the three points.
Simon Sinclair
