Having fallen to a shock 2-1 loss at Newcastle United last time out, Manchester City bounced back in style at home to Arsenal.
2018/2019 Premier League
3-1
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