City beat Huddersfield to set EPL record

LONDON (AP): Only a third of the way into its English Premier League campaign, Manchester City is already making history.

Pep Guardiola’s City defeated Huddersfield 2-1 yesterday for a club record 11th straight league win. City also moved to 37 points from 13 games – the highest-ever points total at this stage of a English Premier League season.

After Huddersfield took a shock lead, Raheem Sterling won a penalty – which Sergio Aguero converted to draw the teams level – before completing the comeback himself six minutes from time to restore an eight-point lead for City at the top of the table.

Elsewhere, Alexis Sanchez’s last-minute penalty gave Arsenal a 1-0 win at Burnley and Southampton crushed Everton 4-1.

After handing Manchester United its first league defeat of the season in October, Huddersfield had another famous victory in its sights when Christopher Schindler’s header deflected in via City’s Nicolas Otamendi in added time at the end of the first half.

However, City levelled just two minutes after the break when Aguero calmly converted his spot kick after Sterling was brought down by Scott Malone.

WINNING GOAL

There was some fortune attached to the winning goal. Substitute Gabriel Jesus had his shot saved, but it popped up into Sterling’s midriff and looped into the top corner.

It was not Sterling’s first late winner of the season for City. The England winger scored deep into stoppage time at Bournemouth in August to secure a 2-1 victory.

Sterling has previously faced criticism for failing to add end product to his prodigious dribbling skills and pace, but he has been prolific in front of goal so far this campaign. His goal at Huddersfield was his 12th in 18 appearances in all competitions.

“He (Sterling) is still young, he’s able to improve,” Guardiola said. “We are going to be there to help him to become a better player. We are so satisfied with his performance.”