Aguero helps City reach quarters
LONDON: Sergio Aguero scored twice as Manchester City survived an early scare to romp into the FA Cup quarterfinals with a 5-1 home drubbing of second-tierhuddersfield Town in a fifth-round replay.
City, third in the Premier League table, fell behind after seven minutes when Harry Bunn drilled an effort beneath ’keeperclaudiobravobut that served only to stir the hosts into action. Leroy Sane drew them level before a penalty from Aguero and a tap-in from Pablo Zabaleta gave them a 3-1 advantage at the break, with their first three goals coming in a devastating eight-minute spell.
Aguero grabbed a fourth in the second half and Kelechi Iheanacho completed the rout in stoppage time as City secured an away tie against Premier League Middlesbrough in the last eight.
After a goalless first game, the deadlock was broken early as Huddersfield stunned the Etihad Stadium when Bunn found the net. Having been teed up by Philip Billing, his low effort squeezed beneath City keeper Bravo, who has been demoted to second choice after a series of unconvincing displays.
Despite the early setback, City began to dominate and were rewarded for their pressure when Sane finished from close range after 30 minutes. The goal turned the momentum firmly in City’s favour and they took the lead four minutes later as Aguero was bundled to the floor and stepped up to slam his penalty high into the top corner.
STRUGGLING BRAVO GETS SUPPORT
Pablo Zabaleta insists errorprone goalkeeper Claudio Bravo still retains the support of his Manchester City team-mates. Bravo suffered another dispiriting night on Wednesday as his mistake gifted second tier Huddersfield the lead.
The former Barcelona star was controversially signed by City boss Pep Guardiola to replace former first choice Joe Hart, allowed six goals in last two appearances. The 33-yearold, playing for just the second time in seven games after being dropped for Willy Caballero, was sarcastically applauded and cheered after making a save as City went on to win 5-1.
But City defender Zabaleta is confident Bravo will bounce back and he was quick to declare the squad’s support for their beleaguered keeper. “We know Claudio. It’s not easy when you come to England, it’s a different league,” Zabaleta said. “We know how good he is and sometimes it is just about confidence. His distribution with the ball was really good.”