Super Sergio makes history as City soar
POINT TO PROVE: Wilshere is struggling for games SERGIO Aguero and Manchester City made history here as Pep Guardiola’s in-form team underlined their Champions League credentials.
Aguero finally claimed the club’s all-time scoring record as City became the first English club to win in Napoli’s notoriously intimidating San Paolo Stadium.
The Argentina striker moved ahead of pre-war hero Eric Brook by striking his 178th goal to clinch their passage through to the last-16 with two games to spare, with Raheem Sterling adding further gloss with the fourth in added time.
It was City’s 14th win on the trot but by far the most significant and one that will be noted around Europe.
They recovered well after Lorenzo Insigne had put the Serie A leaders ahead with two headed goals from centre-half partners Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones.
Jorginho’s penalty after Leroy Sane had tripped Raul Albiol levelled the scores but Sane made amends by racing away to set up Aguero for his record-breaking goal before Sterling scored his 10th of the season.
Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri had warned on the eve of the game that City liked to start fast and kill teams off early on. City had been 2-0 up after 13 minutes when the teams met at the Etihad, but it was the Italians who were on the front foot from the kick-off here.
City did not help themselves by uncharacteristically giving
SPORT IN BRIEF
IN NAPLES Stones made a vital clearance from Insigne’s cross.
Napoli continued to look the more threatening and took the lead with a beautifully worked goal.
Sarri had joked they should start the game in the 21st minute because of City’s habit of flying starts, so it was fitting the strike should come in the 21st minute.
Kevin De Bruyne failed to track Insigne’s darting run and it proved costly. Insigne played a one-two with Dries Mertens and was left totally unmarked to collect the return and sweep his shot past Ederson.
It was the first time since the 2-1 win at Bournemouth back on August 26 that City had been behind in a game, but they responded impressively.
Aguero started a fine counterattack that ended with Sterling cutting the ball back to him and his goal-bound shot was deflected for a corner.
Then Ilkay Gundogan’s curling shot was deflected over but City maintained the attacking momentum and equalised after 34 minutes.
De Bruyne played a short corner to Gundogan whose cross was headed home at the far post by Otamendi.
City may have been slow out of the blocks in the first half but normal service was resumed after the break when they took the lead after three minutes.
Sane swung over a corner form the left and Stones emulated defensive partner Otamendi by climbing highest to head home, with the ball striking the underside of the bar but bouncing over the line.
Insigne served a reminder of Napoli’s threat with a 25-yard snap shot that struck the bar.
And they equalised from a controversial penalty in the 62nd minute. Sane dangled his leg out, Albiol accepted the invitation and took a tumble, with Jorginho converting from the spot.
A point would have been enough to ensure City’s passage to the last-16 but that is not Guardiola or City’s style.
Aguero sealed a great night with his history-making goal before Sterling sealed the victory for City.
NAPOLI MAN Goals: Goals: CITY (4-2-3-1): Referee: (4-3-3):