Aguero lifts Manchester City with hat trick
Premier League leaders show they’ve got plenty of firepower without Sanchez
LONDON — Who needs Alexis Sanchez? That may have been the message Sergio Aguero was trying to deliver as he inspired runaway leader Manchester City to a 3-1 home victory over Newcastle on Saturday.
City pulled out of the race to sign Arsenal striker Sanchez earlier this month, leaving the way clear for Manchester United to seal an expected deal for the highly rated Chile forward in the next few days.
Aguero has broken record after record in his seven years at City and once again underlined his importance to Pep Guardiola’s team by firing a hat trick against Newcastle.
“We’re really happy with the victory,” said Aguero after registering his 11th treble for the club and his second of the season. “We needed it after last week.
“It’s a long season, though, and we’ve not won anything yet. We need to keep going.”
MARTIAL SINKS BURNLEY
Second-place Manchester United squeezed past Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor with a 54th-minute goal from Anthony Martial, but Jose Mourinho’s side remained 12 points adrift of its cross-town neighbour.
Mourinho said he expected United’s big-money deal for Sanchez to go through soon.
“I expect soon or never,” he said.
LONDON RIVALS READY
Turbo-charged London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal warmed up in style for their mid-week League Cup showdown by turning on the goal power.
Chelsea ended its recent struggles in front of goal with a 4-0 demolition of Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Arsenal hosts its capital city rival in a League Cup semifinal second leg on Wednesday after the first game between the two clubs ended goalless earlier this month.
Like Chelsea, Arsenal also turned on the goals Saturday, thrashing Crystal Palace 4-1 at The Emirates to remain in sixth place with 42 points.
HAPPY LAMBERT
Paul Lambert celebrated his first game in charge of Stoke with a 2-0 victory against Huddersfield, thanks to goals from Joe Allen and Mame Biram Diouf. Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez struck as Leicester beat Watford 2-0, while Everton vs. West Bromwich Albion and West Ham vs. Bournemouth ended in 1-1 draws.