RESULT! Edwards to rescue for managerless Wolves
Dumped on the bench for the reverse fixture at the Nou Camp a fortnight ago, which Manchester City lost heavily, the misfiring Argentine hitman was back to his sizzling best yesterday.
A first-half double here ended his personal six-match goal drought – and even more importantly put Pep Guardiola’s troops on course for a first victory in seven games.
That, along with two late strikes from Ilkay Gundogan, also ensured the worst winless run in the glittering career of City’s Spanish coach is over.
And just for good measure, the 4-0 thumping of West Brom means the visitors are still top of the Premier League table – thanks to a superior goal difference over Arsenal and Liverpool.
Now, if that lot is not sufficient to earn deadly Aguero a spot in Pep’s line-up for Tuesday’s crunch visit of Spanish champions Barca, then maybe it is time for him to look for a new employer.
After all, when Aguero is hitting the back of the net – he has now struck 13 times in all competitions this season – City win. When he is not, they struggle big time.
Guardiola said: “Sergio is a quality player and we don’t have too many strikers so that’s why he is so important to us.
“He is special and when he shows that brilliance and belief, he’s exceptional – but we want to help him be better and better.”
A second successive defeat for the Baggies, who are without a win in five, was not the way Tony Pulis wanted to launch his next chapter at the helm at The Hawthorns.
A one-year extension has been signed by the Welshman this week, ending the belief in some quarters that he would be removed f or a more glamorous name.
After the announcement on Friday, Pulis spoke of turning the Baggies into a top-10 outfit.
But that is only half the battle with the Albion faithful who, rightly or wrongly, expect a certain style of football – on the floor and at pace. Of course, trying that against the City coach who lives and dies by his side’s high-pressing passing game was always going to be tricky yesterday.
At kick-off, City had been replaced at the top by Arsenal, meaning they had to win here by two clear goals, scoring at least three in the process, to reclaim pole position.
A few weeks ago that might have been a formality but that was before lethal Aguero went off the boil.
But those Albion home fans banking on that barren spell continuing for a seventh game on the bounce were soon looking for other reasons to be optimistic.
In the 19th minute, having been released by David Silva’s clever pass, Aguero barely checked his step before hammering in first-time underneath Ben Foster.
Aguero’s next goal was all his own doing and provided an even better example of how to finish. Seizing possession 20 yards out, he stepped inside and unleashed a right-foot screamer into the top corner.
The Baggies failed to create anything in the first half but credit Pulis for at least shuffling the pack early in the second.
The fresh legs of teenager Jonathan Leko and James Morrison certainly gave City’s until-then redundant rearguard a little more to ponder.
Salomon Rondon totally missed James McClean’s fine 75th-minute cross but that was as close as it got.
City wrapped up proceedings with two more killer blows in the dying minutes, knocking the Gunners off the top in the process.
Gundogan was the star, pouncing twice – in the 79th and 90th minutes – to complete the rout. Pulis said: “We sat back, waiting for it to happen until the second half we gave it a go but needed to score.
“I’m disappointed with all the goals. We should do better. “But you have to look at all the money they have spent. “Their quality and depth is absolutely frightening for the rest of us.” CHAMPIONSHIP strugglers Blackburn drew with managerless Wolves in a game marked by protests by home supporters.
Rovers fans showed their opposition to Indian owners Venky’s by not taking their seats until the 18th minute and then walking out in the 75th minute in a reference to 1875, the year the club was founded.
Sam Gallagher’s superb early volley put Blackburn ahead at the break, the youngster firing in from the edge of the box.
Conor Coady had two decent chances to level but found Jason Steele in good form in the Rovers goal.
Then Carl Ikeme made an even better stop after Ben Marshall jinked his way towards the edge of the box and bent a beautiful low strike towards goal which the Wolves keeper tipped past the post at full stretch.
And moments later, Marvin Emnes scuffed a shot when he should have done much better.
Wolves were far more prominent after the break and Dave Edwards headed in Matt Doherty’s cross to level. However, Wolves, who sacked Walter Zenga on Tuesday, remain without a win in their last six games.
Blackburn scorer Gallagher said: “I caught it nicely.
“I’m chuffed to bits with the goal but disappointed with the result.
“I’m enjoying my time here, getting good game time and a few goals.”
Wolves scorer Edwards said: “I think we deserved at least a draw.
“We showed good signs of the stuff we’ve been doing on the training ground but it’s not going to happen overnight.
“We looked a little bit ragged defensively at times but I thought we had some really good spells and we had lots of chances.”