Aguero on the verge of crossing Brook’s mark
Guardiola says it is only a matter of time before he does take sole charge
> > LONDON: Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will get another chance to set the club’s new scoring record when his team face West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League today.
City travel to out-of-form West Brom who will seek to emulate second tier Wolves earlier this week in denying Aguero the outright all-time scoring record for the club.
Premier League l eaders City needed a penalty shoot-out to overcome Albion’s Midlands neighbours Wolves in the fourth round of the League Cup on Tuesday after 120 goalless minutes at the Etihad Stadium.
Aguero’s failure to move ahead of Eric Brook’s mark of 177 goals against Wolves was blamed by Pep Guardiola on the quality of the ball but the City manager said it is only a matter of time before he does take sole charge of the record.
“If not the next game, it’s another one. If not, another one. If not, another one,” said Guardiola, whose side have already beaten West Brom away this season in the League Cup.
“He has to be focused, play football and the situation is going to happen.
“It is not a record he has to break by scoring 50 more goals. It’s one more goal.”
City midfielder Yaya Toure hopes West Brom will not erect a defensive brick wall when his side travel to the Hawthorns.
Toure is desperate for the Baggies to at least show some signs of attacking play on home turf in their league encounter.
“I hope in the next game it’s much easier because when you give teams so many chances to believe and be in the game, it’s so hard and so difficult,” Toure said.
“It’s so difficult when teams defend en masse. The striker stays with the holding midfielder, it’s unbelievable.”
City were indebted to goalkeeper Claudio Bravo against Wolves after he saved two spot-kicks during a 4-1 victory in the shoot-out.
The Chile international has lost his place to Ederson, who joined City from Benfica in June, but Toure said Bravo’s performance against Wolves was a sign he could force his way back into the first team.
“Frustration is part of life,” the Ivory Coast great added. “In your job, sometimes you feel frustrated. It’s part of life we have to understand.
“Bravo is a player with big experience, like me. We are always delighted if we help the team move forward. That’s the best thing we can do.
“The club is wanting to win trophies consistently. It will be difficult but we need all the players and I think Claudio showed he deserved to play and be at this club.”
West Brom manager Tony Pulis is looking for club record signing Nacer Chadli to relieve the pressure he’s under from fans after just two wins in 18 Premier League games, with Albion’s last three points against Burnley back on August 19.
Chadli made a scoring comeback in the 1-0 win at Leicester on Oct 16 after being left out when he snubbed the club’s pre-season training camp in Austria before being sidelined with a muscle strain.
“Nacer had a telling off, and he responded to that. And he had a kiss and cuddle and he responded to that,” Pulis said.