AGUERO

MANCHESTER CITY striker Sergio Aguero scored his 11th Prem hat-trick, equalling the record set by Alan Shearer. Chelsea had their worst loss in any competition since losing to Nottingham Forest 0-7 in the top flight in April 1991. Aguero has scored eight Prem goals for Man City in 2019 – double any other player in the competition and more than 11 other Prem clubs, including Chelsea (seven).

Aguero has scored a hat-trick in his last three Prem games at the Etihad in February – four v Leicester in 2018, three v Arsenal in 2019 and three v Chelsea.

Chelsea conceded four goals in consecutive away top-flight matches for the first time since December 1990. Manchester City were the first Prem team to be 4-0 up inside 25 minutes of a match since Arsenal in January 2018 against Crystal Palace (4-0 after 22 minutes).

Only Fulham (15) have conceded more Prem goals in 2019 than Chelsea (13). Manchester City became the first top-flight team since Spurs in December 1965 to score more than once in 15 consecutive home Prem games.

Since losing consecutive Prem matches against Crystal Palace and Leicester City, Man City have won more games (7), scored more goals (23) and won more points (21) than any other side. talent of Aguero. Unperturbed by the indignity and shock of that fluffed formality, he crashed one right-footed into the top corner from 25 yards, pounced left-footed on a bizarre headed backpass from Ross Barkley, and nonchalantly rolled in the 160th league goal of his City career – the new record – from the penalty spot after Cesar Azpilicueta had hacked Sterling.

Enjoy the contributions of slightly less heralded members of a scoring machine.

Players such as Bernardo Silva, whose energy is twinned with creativity and players such as Ilkay Gundogan, whose crisp strike from just outside the area put City four up after just 25 minutes.

The only surprise was that they had to wait until the second half to put more gloss on the final outcome and stretch their goal difference advantage.

The ramifications for Maurizio Sarri could be severe, but the ramifications for the title race are sumptuous.

This is going to be some run-in. The past eight days were billed as a formidable test of City’s mettle.

Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea in quick succession. The outcome? Played three, won three, scored 11, conceded one.

And if Liverpool do come out on top, it will be some achievement.

Because if you finish ahead of City, you will be finishing ahead of a fantastic team.

A fantastic team led off the pitch by a fantastic coach and led on it by a fantastic striker.

If you can, go and see them some time.