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Man City thrash Chelsea
Sergio Aguero fired a hat-trick to guide Manchester City to a 3-0 victory over defending champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
PT1M24S 620 349London: Just when Chelsea thought their catastrophic title defence could get no worse, this happens.
Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as Manchester City capped an excellent week by beating 10-man Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge to move ahead of Arsenal and into third place in the Premier League.
Sergio Aguero completes the hat-trick! https://t.co/bZgDbZkWkR
— MCFC Info (@MCFClnfo) April 16, 2016
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates after scoring his hat trick of goals. Photo: Frank Augstein/AP
Aguero was acclaimed as "the best striker in the Premier League" by manager Manuel Pellegrini after his display. He took his season's league tally to 21 goals with strikes in the 32nd and 54th minutes and an 80th-minute penalty after Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois was sent off for upending Fernandinho.
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The performance delighted City's manager Manuel Pellegrini, who said: "I am sure he is the best striker in the league, he makes a difference playing every game."
Equally influential in the victory was midfielder Kevin de Bruyne who produced the sort of performance that has left many questioning why Chelsea let their former midfielder leave without having had the chance to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.
The Belgian's return from injury has played a significant part in City's recent improved form and he was at the hub of most of their attacks, linking superbly with Aguero for the first two goals.
First De Bruyne broke from a Chelsea corner to allow the Argentine to cut inside and open the scoring. Then De Bruyne produced another telling thrust from his own half to again feed Aguero, via Samir Nasri, as City overwhelmed Chelsea with a series of clinical attacks.
Courtois's rash challenge on Fernandinho gave away the penalty which allowed Aguero, who had missed from the spot against PSG on Tuesday, to complete his hat-trick.
Defeat left Chelsea looking ahead to a new start under new manager Antonio Conte, who will join ahead of next season.
"Chelsea are (in) a difficult situation this season," outgoing boss Guus Hiddink said.
"Chelsea need to be in the first four places. We were knocking on the door but we didn't create open chances. They outplayed us on 60-70 yard counters."
HAT TRICK HERO Sergio makes it 3-0 from the spot!! https://t.co/oLeWZFWppU
— Silva's Apprentice (@DanimoMagic) April 16, 2016Reuters