ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Sergio Aguero goal (75′) Manchester City 4-1 Tottenham
Joe Hart warned the best was yet to come after Sergio Aguero’s “brilliant” four-goal haul helped Manchester City rout 10-man Tottenham 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur
FT
England international Hart saved a Roberto Soldado penalty to prevent Spurs tying the game at 2-2 on the hour, but it was Aguero who stole the show as the Argentina striker became City’s all-time Premier League record goalscorer.
“We’ve consolidated well,” Hart said on BT Sport 1. “It was a tough summer, with some of the boys playing in the World Cup final. But I think we’ve done well.
“We’ve got a good understanding of playing under the manager now and we’re picking up results. I don’t think we’ve quite taken off yet. Sergio makes it look good with all the goals, but I think there’s more to come.”
The goals told only part of the story of a breathless encounter which featured four spot-kicks — two of which were saved — countless chances and a red card for Spurs defender Federico Fazio on his Premier League debut.
Aguero missed one of the penalties himself, being denied by Hugo Lloris after he had already struck twice either side of a Christian Eriksen equaliser. Aguero spoke in English at the start of his post-match interview, before using a translator.
The Argentina international has now scored 61 goals in 95 Premier League appearances.
“I’m very happy,” he said. “We are really happy. The [man of the match] trophy is for all the team because the team has helped me get the goals.”
Hart praised his teammate’s contribution on the pitch, and hailed his approach off it too for having tried to conduct his interview in English.
“It’s fantastic — especially with [some of] the boys playing in Hong Kong and Beijing [for friendly internationals] over the past week,” Hart continued.
“It’s great to have him [Aguero] back. He does speak good English but obviously it’s a lot of pressure in an interview so fair play to him for even trying.
“He’s a very important character in our dressing room. He does all the important things as well as being a brilliant footballer, so that’s why we’re very lucky to have him.”
Aguero looked to have sustained a back injury towards the end of the match, but insisted afterwards: “It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m ready for the next game.”