Pep wants Aguero to treat teammates to dinner

LONDON: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola invited Sergio Aguero to take the squad out for dinner after the Argentinian striker equalled the club’s all-time scoring record.

Aguero, 29, broke the deadlock in the 3-0 home win over Burnley with a 30th-minute penalty, taking him level with inter-war player Eric Brook on 177 City goals.

“Aguero should pay a tribute to us. He should invite us to dinner maybe,” Guardiola joked on Saturday.

“One more goal, it’s going to happen sooner or later.”

Aguero tweeted: “Glad about our win and for my 177. And we’re going for more!! C’mon, City!!”

Burnley contested the decision to award City a penalty, awarded for a challenge on Bernardo Silva by visiting goalkeeper Nick Pope, but Guardiola felt it was the right call.

“It was a penalty,” he said. “Bernardo touched the goalkeeper. He touched Bernardo’s foot and put him down.”

Aguero was making his first start since breaking a rib in a car crash in Amsterdam three weeks ago.

He joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and has contributed to two English Premier League title triumphs and two League Cup successes during his time at the Etihad.

He etched his name in City folklore in his first season by scoring the 94th-minute winner against Queens Park Rangers on the final day that saw his side snatch the title from arch-rivals Manchester United.