City 3 Arsenal 1
February 3rd 2019 att.54,483
A really good team performance enabled City to cut Liverpool's lead to a couple of points with this win over Arsenal. After the poor City display at Newcastle and a Pep blast after the game we expected an improvement and we got it. Within a minute we had yet another early goal by Aguero with an excellent diving low header. Alas poor defending at a corner gave Arsenal the chance to level the scores with their first attack. Fortunately a good passing move ended with Sterling passing to an unmarked Aguero to score from close range just before half time to put us ahead. He completed his hat -trick in the second half with another from very close range. It was his 20th goal of the season and is 10th hat-trick in the Premier League.
It was an interesting tactical defence by City which looked like a back three but with Fernandinho doing a great job - back in defence when necessary and rushing forward the next helping De Bruyne and Silva in midfield. Laporte had a good game and was the assist for the first goal. City should have had a penalty early on but no whistle! City really dominated in the second half and should have had more goals with a bit more luck. A few passes were just a fraction out.
City made several changes from the Newcastle loss bringing in Benardo, Otamendi and Gundogan for Stones, Sane and Danilo
Arsenal brought a lot of support and the Stadium was pretty full
An early City attack was not cleared properly......
.....and Laporte got to the line and crossed for Aguero to dive and head in to give City the lead in 45 seconds!
Early cheers in the South Stand
Aguero goes to thank Laporte for the assist
time for team celebrations
Mustafi pulled back Aguero but the ref was too far behind play and no sign of the linesman!
Arsenal manage to clear a City corner
City get the ball in the net again but alas the offside flag is up as the De Bruyne free kick flies in
Walker concedes a corner which I thought Ederson might have come for.....
...and a low header by Koscieiny beats Ederson and its one all - disaster!
City go back on the attack but cannot break the Arsenal defence
another City corner is cleared
A shot from De Bruyne goes just wide
Our 'new midfielder' beats Aubameyang to the ball
Oh dear the secret sniper is in action again - Oh I can feel the pain!
Oh we have a second victim now - maybe there are two snipers!
Just before half time a great team passing movement ends with Sterling crossing to an unmarked Aguero....
...who scores and puts City back into the lead
While the players celebrate Kevin gets some treatment and Walker an earful from Pep
De Bruyne has a cross cum shot go just wide just before half time
At half time we have the Dragon celebrate Chinese New Year
A Silva free kick hits the wall
De Bruyne has an effort saved
..and the ball comes to Walker but the flag is up for offside
Ederson saves from Kolasinac
Sterling breaks down the left and crosses.....
...to a waiting Aguero but the keeper just gets to the ball but does not hold it and....
...the ball hits Aguero and rolls over the line ......
...for a third goal for Aguero and City
While Arsenal appeal it was handled the City players celebrate... if it was hand ball it was accidental
As the Arsenal keeper is in action again there is also action among some Arsenal fans
Gundogan is booked for a really stupid dive
More trouble with the Arsenal fans and it looks like one is being taken away and will be locked up until Wenger comes back!
Silva tries to dribble through
City fail to add to the score at a corner
The secret sniper is having a busy day!
Aguero gets a big cheer when he is subbed
Leno saves from David Silva
Surely City must score on this counter
Jesus should have passed but his finish went straight at the keeper and it was soon full time with a valuable three points
Team
Ederson 6.5: Walker 7, Otamendi 6.5, Laporte 7.5: Fernandinho 8, Gundogan 7, Benardo 7, De Bruyne 7.5 (Mahrez), Sterling 7.5, Silva 7.5,Aguero 8.5 (Jesus)
