Manchester City defeated 10-man Chelsea 3-0 on Saturday to claim their first three-win Premier League streak since September, with Sergio Aguero bagging a hat-trick to move the Citizens one point ahead of Arsenal into third.
The Argentina striker scored twice in the second period to guide the Citizens past Chelsea, who saw goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sent off with 12 minutes left as interim manager Guus Hiddink lost his second league game of the term.
Aguero brought his tally to 21 for the Premier League season, and Sky Sports Statto provided proof of just how effective a scorer he's been for his English employers:
The two teams took little time to get off the mark, and Aguero was denied a scoring opportunity in the opening minutes before Pedro saw his effort cleared off the line by Pablo Zabaleta at the other end.
Diego Costa played a crucial role in opening up that chance for his winger, and the Spain frontman proceeded to put the ball in the net himself just minutes later—only to be called back for an offside decision.
The Blues continued their press on Joe Hart's goal, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a player whom Hiddink continues to show faith in, glanced a low, driven effort across the City goalkeeper's frame.
But it was City who broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark. Kevin De Bruyne instigated a counter-attack, and Aguero capitalised from the edge of Courtois' area, thanks in small part to a Gary Cahilldeflection. France Football writer Philippe Auclair surmised the visitors deserved their lead:
Chelsea continued to advance their grip on possession towards the end of the half, but it remained Manchester City who had carved out the finer opportunities heading in at the interval.
It was 12 minutes before the break when Aguero made his initial dent at Stamford Bridge, but it took him only nine in the second period to add a second, where the Mirror's Alex Richards made sure to pick outSamir Nasri's involvement:
The Frenchman threaded a ball through towards the left-hand side ofCourtois' box, and the hitman doubled his tally after powering his attempt low into the far corner of Chelsea's net, an attempt Chelsea's stopper may have prevented.
That wasn't to be Courtois' low point, though, as Fernandinhoembarked on a run through the heart of Chelsea's defence, leaving the Blues No. 1 with little choice other than to hack the Brazil international down, as shown by Sky Sports Football:
Asmir Begovic was brought on in place of John Obi Mikel, but the Bosnian couldn't deny Aguero from the 12-yard spot, and City's saviour added a third goal of the evening to his haul.
Despite his trip, Courtois wasn't to be held accountable for the part he played in Chelsea's demise, according to the Guardian's SachinNakrani, and the home fans appeared to agree:
Manchester City beat Paris Saint-Germain last week to claim a place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history, but they're sailing in more familiar waters in the Premier League.
Aguero's hat-trick contribution means City moved within five points of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, perhaps now as high as they can hope to climb this season.
For Chelsea, meanwhile, a second defeat in a row leaves Hiddink's men in some despair as to where their good form has gone of late.
They travel to face Bournemouth next Sunday before playing host to Spurs the following week, a run during which they may struggle to prevent their losing streak extending.
Post-Match Reaction
Jon Super/Associated Press
Manchester City could still win three trophies this season.
Aguero re-established himself as a Premier League powerhouse on Saturday after netting his third, fourth and fifth goals in five Premier League games, much to his manager's delight.
Pellegrini told BBC Sport his opinion when quizzed on where he feltAguero placed among England's leading scorers after climbing to within just a single score of 22-goal Harry Kane: “I am sure he is the best striker in the league, he makes a difference playing every game. He is a very important player and it is strange in so many years he plays here he is not the best player of the league.”
After drawing Real Madrid for the Champions League semi-finals on Friday, Pellegrini also touched on the high demand placed on his squad during such a hectic period, per ESPN FC's Liam Twomey:
After a second defeat in as many Premier League outings, Chelsea counterpart Hiddink also informed BBC Sport he felt his side were deserving of their loss: "It was a difficult game against a well-organised and skilful team. It's not for nothing that they are at the top of Europe now. We sometimes had dominance in the game, but they were sharp and skilful on the counterattack. We got caught. We were naive how we defended."
While Manchester continue to make a final dash for silverware on multiple fronts, Chelsea's campaign appears to be winding down to a dull finish based on recent form.
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