Matt’s corner
Deputy Editor Sports
Only last month, Manchester City were celebrating 10 years since the takeover of the club by Abu Dhabi United Group and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, amid much fanfare in England and the UAE.
Since that game-changer in 2008, City have altered the face of English football, picking up three league titles, three League Cups and a couple of FA Cups to boot. They are also bidding to become the first side in a decade to win back-toback Premier League titles.
One man who has epitomised their rise to become one of England’s and Europe’s true superpowers over the past decade is record goalscorer and fan favourite Sergio Aguero.
He now has another personal landmark to celebrate. Yesterday, he signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him in Manchester until the end of 2021. By that time he will have served 10 years of his own at City and is already one of the greatest players ever to wear the sky blue shirt.
The Argentine is in fine form once more this season, bagging his ninth Premier League hat-trick in a 6—1 home victory against Huddersfield Town last month, putting him second in the Premier League all-time list behind only Alan Shearer (11).
The 30-year-old — whose City goal tally stands at an outrageous 204 — is thriving following knee surgery towards the end of last season and is repaying the faith Pep Guardiola has put in him despite his advancing years. “I’m not sure if this is the best start of a season for me, but it’s the best I’ve felt in years,” Aguero said.
“The challenge now is keeping up this level, and working non-stop to maintain it.
“My idea was being here for 10 years. I’ve been here for seven years, it’s going to be 10 when the contract expires. This was the main reason I signed. I’m very happy because they have treated me very well since the first day I got here.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea and Liverpool are chasing their own bit of history as they look to join an elite club of Premier League teams to have won their first six consecutive Premier League matches.
Only four team — Newcastle in 1994, Manchester City two seasons ago and the Chelsea sides of 2005 and 2009 — have opened a campaign with six victories on the trot.
Liverpool can add to that list with a win over Southampton at Anfield on Saturday, while Chelsea will get their shot against floundering West Ham United on Sunday.
Needless to say never have two teams achieved such a landmark in the same season, illustrating the monumental task City are facing if they are to retain the Premier League trophy this time around. I’ll be