Aguero takes Man City one step closer to Premier League glory
Sergio Aguero - Man City's record goal scorer
Liverpool’s 5-0 victory over Huddersfield put the pressure back on Man City who travelled a day later to Turf Moor. Burnley are a difficult side to face at this stage of the season on their own turf. Growing up as a Liverpool fan, Sean Dyche was not going to give Man City easy three points. Burnley did all that they could to help Liverpool in the title race.
The pitch was made dry to prevent Man City from playing their usual quick passes. There were 10 men behind the ball for Burnley most of the time and to top it off, Barnes and Wood were waiting for the long balls. Pep Guardiola started club captain Vincent Kompany to manage the aerial bombardment expected from Burnley.
Burnley took everything Man City threw at them in the first half. The first big chance, however, was created by Burnley against the run of play. Hendrick’s through ball reached Wood who couldn’t get a good first touch and Ederson raced out of the line to prevent Burnley a goal-scoring opportunity. Man City’s first big chance came in the 28th minute when Sterling’s pass reached Bernardo Silva who instead of shooting with his right foot brought the ball back to his stronger left. He waited to see if there was a pass available and that was enough for the Burnley defender to get behind the ball. The Portuguese attacker did well to shoot on target but Heaton made a comfortable save.
Man City were starting to ask more questions of Burnley’s defiant defence when Gundogan’s lofted ball missed Aguero’s boot by an inch. Burnley’s tactic of sitting back and inviting City to attack was starting to frustrate some of the away players. Uncharacteristically, the defending Champions made a few misplaced passes. As the first half was nearing it’s end, Sergio Aguero tried to break the deadlock by cutting-inside and launching a curling shot from just outside the box but it was off-target.
Man City started the second-half brightly. What ever magic Pep Guardiola weaved on his players in the dressing room worked. Man City started to make slick passes and moved the ball around at a faster pace. Few minutes into the second half, Aguero’s powerful shot brought a fine save out of Tom Heaton. A minute later, Man City came close again with Laporte heading the ball straight at the keeper.
Referee Paul Tierney made a huge mistake when Bernardo Silva’s robust drive caught Barnes’ arm. Clearly, Barnes moved his arm away from his body to stop Silva’s shot. It was a stone-wall penalty for Man City but Paul Tierney thought otherwise.
The referee’s mistake turned to be insignificant later as Sergio Aguero, who was inside the box, controlled a beautiful pass from Bernardo Silva. The Argentine striker managed to stay on his feet before unleashing another powerful shot. The ball crept into the goal by 29mm before Matt Lowton cleared it. Goal line technology saved the day for City and the goal was given. Pep Guardiola took off Sane and replaced him with Jesus.
Goal-line technology helped Burnley and rightfully denied the substitute Jesus and his side a goal in the 76th minute when former City player Ben Mee made a heroic save off the goal line in a Burnley shirt. Sean Dyche brought in Vydra and Gudmundsson in search of an equaliser but Burnley failed to trouble Ederson in the second half. Pep Guardiola brought in John Stones and Otamendi to deal with the incoming aerial bombardment and City managed to hold on to a slender but crucial 1-0 victory at Turf Moor.
Sergio Aguero’s 20th goal of the season took Manchester City back to the top and the pressure is now on Liverpool to beat Newcastle United away from home in Saturday’s late kick-off next week. Pep Guardiola was happy to praise the Argentine striker and said “The guy is a legend. He does that all the time, scoring important goals. He is an incredible player. Every time he does it, I am delighted.”
With both teams now having scored over 90 points, this will be the first time a team scoring over 89 points will finish without the EPL trophy. That’s how competitive the Premier League has become, thanks to Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
LosMejor's Editorial Team includes a team of experts who cover the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. The Editorial team is headed by Deepak Selvan.
Saudi Arabia-led consortium completes Newcastle United takeover 
Ronaldo to Man Utd: How the homecoming happened 
Harry Kane: I will be staying at Tottenham this summer 
Can PSG recoup their ‘Messi money’ through just shirt sales? 
Haaland was Chelsea’s first choice but Dortmund’s crazy valuation made the Blues turn to Romelu Lukaku 
Txixi-nomics: Man City can afford both Jack Grealish & Harry Kane