City kings of their castle
Guardiola’s charges deliver masterclass as arch foes stumble
Manchester City delivered yet another reminder that they are the team to beat in the English Premier League this season. On yesterday’s evidence, winning the title looks beyond Manchester United.
A few hours after City thrashed Huddersfield 6-1 — mainly thanks to a hat-trick by Sergio Aguero — United slumped to a 3-2 loss at Brighton after conceding three goals in 20 minutes during the first half.
City have already racked up eight goals in the first two games of their title defence. Aguero looks in peak form, fit-again Benjamin Mendy is in rampaging mood down the left, while coach Pep Guardiola had the luxury of starting Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez on the bench against Huddersfield.
For Aguero, it was a performance sealed with a kiss.
Aguero had just scored his third goal in a brilliant individual display when he was substituted by Guardiola, who kissed the Argentina striker on the cheek as he walked past him.
Aguero began the rout with a goal that started with a pinpoint 70m ball forward from keeper Ederson right to the feet of Aguero, who cut inside and chipped the opposition goalkeeper.
City’s other scorers were Gabriel Jesus and long-serving playmaker David Silva, who curled in a free kick early in the second half in his 250th Premier League game. A miserable day at Etihad Stadium for Huddersfield was wrapped up by Terence Kongolo’s 84th-minute own goal.
City began their title defence by beating Arsenal 2-0 away last weekend, having earlier beaten Chelsea 2-0 in the season-opening Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.
It looks a lot less rosy at the champions’ fierce rivals.
United’s difficult off-season, notable for the grumpiness of coach Jose Mourinho and the club’s struggles in the transfer market, was briefly forgotten thanks to an opening-day 2-1 win over Leicester last week.
But the loss to Brighton exposed weaknesses in United’s team, particularly their fragile defence in which centre backs Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof — Mourinho signings — were especially sluggish.
Mourinho failed to get a new central defender he craved, with his employers not prepared to spend any more money on that position. It might prove a big mistake.
City’s clinic against Huddersfield was a tough act to follow for United and the sloppy display at Brighton showed the gulf between the rivals.
Slow in possession, United fell apart in a woeful spell at the end of the first half when Brighton scored through Glenn Murray, Shane Duffy — from a corner — and Pascal Gross, who converted a penalty after being needlessly fouled by Bailly.
Romelu Lukaku had made it 2-1 with a glancing header following Luke Shaw’s bouncing shot from the edge of the area but United never looked like rebounding in the second half as Brighton defended stoutly.
Paul Pogba converted a penalty with one of the last kicks of the game.
After two games, City are one of five teams with the maximum six points. Another is Watford, who beat Burnley 3-1 away in the other game yesterday.
For the second straight year, Watford have made a fast start to the season. Andre Gray, Troy Deeney and Will Hughes scored the goals at Turf Moor, with James Tarkowski replying for Burnley.
Watford were in the league’s top four for three months last season before fading. Now they are on six points with Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea and Bournemouth. Crystal Palace host Liverpool in this morning’s match.