Having fallen to a shock 2-1 loss at Newcastle United last time out, Manchester City bounced back in style at home to Arsenal.
Match Report
Hat-trick hero Sergio Aguero was quick off the mark again as Manchester City closed the gap at the top of the Premier League to two points with a 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola's side had faced the prospect of falling seven points behind Liverpool after Tuesday's shock 2-1 loss at Newcastle United, but the league leaders could only manage a home draw with Leicester City the following day.
And with Jurgen Klopp's charges not in action again until Monday's trip to West Ham, City got to within touching distance of the summit as Aguero broke the deadlock after just 46 seconds.
Laurent Koscielny's leveller against the run of play reminded City of their opponents' quality, but unlike at St James' Park – when Aguero's goal after just 24 seconds came in a losing effort – the reigning champions bounced back to wrap up the points.
Aguero took the match ball with two close-range finishes, the latter having hit his arm, to ramp up the pressure on the Merseysiders and keep Arsenal in sixth, three points adrift of the Champions League spots.
Player Ratings
Match Events
1'GOAL! Man City 1-0 Arsenal (Aguero)
GOALLLLLLLLLLL!!!! AGUERO DOES IT AGAIN!!! 1-0 CITY!! City have a made a dream start for the second time this week. Aguero scored within 24 seconds agains Newcastle, but on this occasion it's after 48 seconds. Arsenal attempt to clear their lines from a City attack, but lose possession in their own box. Laporte punishes them with an accurate cross into the middle. Aguero is unmarked and heads home from close range.
9' OFFSIDE! Laporte's goal disallowed
DISALLOWED GOAL! De Bruyne puts in a perfect cross from a free-kick and Laporte heads home with conviction from close range. However, his celebrations are cut short by the offside flag.
11'GOAL! Man City 1-1 Arsenal (Koscielny)
GOALLLLLLLLLL!!!! KOSCIELNY EQUALISES!!! 1-1!!! The Gunners are back in the game from the resulting corner. City fall asleep as Torreira's corner is flicked on by Monreal with a run to the near post. Koscielny is in the right place at the right time in the six-yard area. The Frenchman cannot miss from close range and does not disappoint, finding the net to level the scores.
18' SHOT! Otamendi's shot saved
CHANCES! City win a corner thanks to pressing by Laporte. From the resulting cross, Sterling has a chance to wrap his boot round a strike but fails to connect. The home side recycle possession and Otamendi has space to fire at goal, only to fire a tame effort straight at Leno.
44'GOAL! Man City 2-1 Arsenal (Aguero)
GOALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! CITY REGAIN THE LEAD OUT OF NOWHERE!! 2-1 AGUERO!! The home side are back in front with a flowing move. Sterling starts it on the left flank with a pass back to Gundogan, with the two players combining with a one-two that sees the German release his team-mate into the left inside channel. Sterling fires a low ball across the face of goal that Aguero, unmarked at the back post, converts with ease.
56' SAVE! Leno denies De Bruyne's shot
SAVE! Another quick switch down the left allows Sterling to raid into space and he offloads towards De Bruyne in the inside channel. The Belgian connects with a strike, although it's tame and straight at Leno.
61'GOAL! Man City 3-1 Arsenal (Aguero)
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!! AGUERO HAS HIS HAT-TRICK!!!! 3-1 CITY!!! The Argentine notches his third goal and it comes in fortuitous circumstances as the ball appears to bounce off his arm before rolling over the line, but the referee awards the goal. Sterling is the architect again with a run down the left flank before he hammers a cross into the box. Leno gets a hand to the ball, but he can only help it into the path of Aguero on the slide. The ball hits his chest and then his arm before it crosses the line. Arsenal are not happy with the decision, but it still counts.
Line-ups
Man City XI: David Silva, S. Agüero, Fernandinho, N. Otamendi, K. Walker, İ. Gündoğan, K. De Bruyne, R. Sterling, A.Laporte, Ederson Moraes, Bernardo Silva
Subs: F. Delph, Danilo, Mahrez, J. Stones, Sané, Gabriel Jesus, A. Murić
Arsenal XI: S. Lichtsteiner, Nacho Monreal, Aubameyang, Koscielny, Lacazette, Mustafi, Bernd Leno, Kolasinac, A. Iwobi, L. Torreira, M. Guendouzi
Subs: P. Čech, M. Özil, Ramsey, D.Suárez, M.Elneny, K. Mavropanos, Nketiah
Dibbeios
360
am i the only one who's happy when arsenal is being beaten? benching, freeing the best attacking players😡 Please Ozil, Ramsey leave this drowning club.. our bigest problems is the uk based fans.. pliz u guys stop buying tickets until this guy sold the club to a potential buyer who's ready to spend and overhaul
FortuneDeBrain02
311
Sometimes I wish I could wake up with amnesia and forget my dear club Arsenal
tropicalda
310
The funniest thing is Liverpool fans are more disappointed in Arsenal than Arsenal fans. What a day 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ahnaf77
303
Arsenal should've been and was easy for City.Arsenal conceded 5 against Liverpool so i was expecting atleast 3 from City and they have got it.City needs to be more consistent.They can't affor to win a couple of matches and lose,as they did against Newcastle.They have to get back to their best and beat Liverpool in the title race.I hope the defending Champions will again be Champions.
Daoabcikrt
271
Unai Emery is behaving like Jose Mourinho. Having problem with key players like Ozil, Ramsey, Elneny and other die hard players. There wasn't any creative player to open the game for Arsenal. Ozil n Ramsey are good at that
Luybmry
260
as if unai emery is learning football
Spartacus_Aye419
238
Another Argentine, Another Hand-of-God. On the 3rd day of February, Sergio Aguero Scored a Hat-trick with his Head, His Leg and the Hand-of-God before he was later replaced by Jesus
moore8
186
From 4th to 6th,Arsenal is now back to their original position and the position they’re used to be being at,hopefully they don’t disturb those above them ,they should just stay calm in the 6th position
Lebronking
169
Perfect opponent for you to score a hat-trick. That's what Arsenal look like today!
Laobeimrsz
146
In my opinion, Aguero has a great deal. Why? Because they kill the rest and just see this. Hertyman designers play a vital role in showing the attacker's player. Therefore, if we consider a game without designer opener, then there is no one who can bring the game and lead the winning team. There are certainly those who can create a position for themselves and others alongside the goalie.
kaacikpt
41
Not sure behind why Ramsey or Ozil didn't start? You're playing a top flight team and yet you don't a solid okay making midfielder to help with that. Don't get me wrong, Torreria is good but you need more in the mid field. I hope Mkhytarian can help fill in the gap that Emery has created by not using Ozil. Also, where is Lacazzette and Aubamayang? These guys need to be more aggressive and I don't see that aggressiveness in them either - not just Ozil. I still think the Gunners can end up in the top 4 spot but they've just made things way mor difficult for them selves. Not sure what Emery is thinking at times.