Aguero nets record goal, City progress
LONDON: Sergio Aguero, fresh from becoming the top scorer in the 137-year history of Manchester City, said he would be giving away his historic match shirt as a special memento for his son Benjamin.
The popular Argentine was hailed as a “legend” by team mates and former City greats alike after scoring his 178th goal for the club - another crucial one - during their thrilling 4-2 win at Na po li in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Aguero’s strike put City 3-2 ahead in the 69th minute of a remarkable game and he revealed that he would be taking home a prized souvenir for his eight year-old son.
“He texted me, saying ‘if you score, bring it (the shirt) to me’,” the 29-year-old said after going past the 177- goal landmark of Eric Brook that had lasted for 78 years.
Vincent Kompany, City’s captain, led the tribute s to Ague roby calling him a “true legend” while their former England international Francis Lee tweeted that he was a “superstar”.
Aguero’s feat has been compiled relentlessly over the six years he has been at City ever since he struck twice in a memorable Premier League debut in August 2011 against Swansea.
Manager Pep Guard io la reckoned goal number 178 in his 264 th match for City was the only fitting way for the talismanic striker to break the record “because itwas such an important goal to make it 3-2.”
The Spaniard added: “It’s amazing, another part of the history and legend for the club.”
INCREDIBLE FEAT
Although Ra he em Sterling added a fourth in injury time, it was typical Aguero sharpness that broke Napoli and allowed Guardiola’s side to become the first English team to win a European tie at the Italians’ San Paolo stadium.
After a pulsating game, Guardiola reckoned that beating Napoli, the free-scoring league leaders in Serie A, twice in two weeks was an “incredible achievement”.
“They are perhaps the best side I’ve faced in my career,” he added.
“We tried to block their left flank, but they got there first and were too strong. They massacred us for 20 minutes and we didn’t have the courage to play. I am glad with the way we reacted.”
One down to a Lorenzo In sig ne goal, City hit back through headed goals from their centre backs Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones either side of halftime, before Jorginho checked their momentum from the penalty spot.
Yet while City have booked their place in the last 16 with a maximum 12 points, Napoli are now in grave danger of missing out on the knockout stages with just three points in third place.