Aguero’s swift impact in City stroll
SERGIO AGUERO came off the bench to score after three games out as Manchester City warmed up for this weekend’s derby against United with a low-key victory over Marseille at the Etihad.
Ferran Torres, Aguero – fit-again after a knee problem – and Raheem Sterling grabbed second-half goals for City, who were already assured of top spot in Group C.
With Saturday’s tea-time clash at Old Trafford looming, Pep Guardiola made nine changes from the team that beat Fulham last weekend.
The Spaniard handed goalkeeper Zack Steffen a Champions League debut and the American enjoyed a comfortable night, as did returning defenders Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake.
Riyad Mahrez forced a good early save from Steve Mandanda while
Laporte, back in the starting line-up for the first time in five games, headed over from an Ilkay Gundogan free-kick.
After former West Ham star Dimitri Payet had the ball in the net for Marseille – he was well offside – City lost centre-back Eric Garcia to injury after 28 minutes, the Spanish teenager hobbling off to be replaced by John Stones.
Mahrez then whistled a shot narrowly past Mandanda’s righthand upright but City could not find a first-half breakthrough.
But, boosted by the attacking spark of Sterling for the second half, the hosts did not have long to wait after the break to go ahead.
The impressive Mahrez was the creator, ending a weaving run by slipping in Torres to score his fourth goal of the group stage.
Mandanda saved from Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden before beating out a Kyle Walker piledriver.
But the veteran keeper was powerless to prevent Aguero, who came on after 66 minutes, poking in from close range and Sterling who bundled home a late third.