Sunderland 1-4 Manchester City
- Published
Sergio Aguero has scored three more Premier League goals than Chelsea's Diego Costa
Man City score two goals in each half
Aguero takes season's goal tally to 19
City remain six points behind leaders Chelsea
Sunderland's first defeat in five league games
Sergio Aguero took his Premier League goal tally to 14 with a double as Manchester City overcame Sunderland to make it three straight top-flight wins.
Sunderland went ahead when Connor Wickham fired past Joe Hart while under pressure from Pablo Zabaleta.
But Argentina forward Aguero equalised with a fierce 16-yard finish before Stevan Jovetic fired through former City keeper Costel Pantilimon's legs.
Zabaleta increased the lead with a fine chip before Aguero completed the rout.
Sunderland 1-4 Man City: Black Cats not at their best - Poyet
City's performance was every bit as convincing as the scoreline suggests, with Manuel Pellegrini's side rejuvenated as they head towards the festive programme with growing belief.
They remain six points behind leaders Chelsea in second place, but the damaging early season blips against Stoke, West Ham and QPR seem a long time ago.
Yet City still insist on doing things the hard way, coming from behind in three of their last four games in league and cup to earn a quartet of victories.
Former Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann on MOTD: |
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"Sergio Aguero is in scintillating form but he has so much more to offer than goals. You hear players who can't play on their own because they need service. This guy makes most of his chances on his own. The two late goals against Bayern Munich have made a difference because City are back playing close to their best again." |
Pellegrini's men had lost 1-0 on their previous four visits to the Stadium of Light and found themselves in familiar territory when Wickham scored in the 19th minute.
The former Ipswich forward controlled Sebastian Larsson's long ball before flicking past Hart while under pressure from Zabaleta.
But Sunderland's lead last two minutes, Aguero equalising for the reigning champions with a spectacular finish from 16-yards that gave Pantilimon no chance.
Aguero then turned provider, accepting Yaya Toure's delicious ball and teeing up Jovetic to fire through Pantilimon's legs after a superb 39th minute move that had Pellegrini applauding on the sidelines.
Sunderland 1-4 Man City: Aguero in world top five - Pellegrini
Chelsea, Manchester United, Everton and Tottenham had all failed to win at the Stadium of Light this season.
And, although City missed injured captain Vincent Kompany, with Dedryck Boyata making his first league start for almost 12 months, they went on to secure victory.
Full-back Zabaleta made it 3-1 with a superb chip over Pantilimon after a lovely pass by Samir Nasri.
Sunderland had won plaudits for a gritty performance that earned a point against Chelsea last Saturday and were lively again.
But there were no heroics from Gus Poyet's side this time, the brilliant Aguero completing the win when he got ahead of Santiago Vergini to side-foot James Milner's ball home.
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet: "I can't have too many complaints - they were better than us in every aspect of the game.
"We started well, but then Aguero appears from nowhere and does something special.
"Sometimes you cannot complain too much - they were quicker and they were better technically."
Connor Wickham has scored two Premier League goals this season
Eight of Sergio Aguero's 14 Premier League goals this season have come away from home
Stevan Jovetic scored his first Premier League away goal since 29 January
Pablo Zabaleta's previous Premier League goal before Sunderland came against West Brom on 21 April
Sergio Aguero (14) has now scored more goals than Sunderland (13) in the Premier League this season
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