Sergio Aguero: danger man for City

Manchester City kept alive their chances of winning four trophies this season by coming back from a goal down to beat Burnley 4-1 in the English FA Cup third round.

The runaway English Premier League leaders, who are also in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League and semi-finals of the English League Cup, fielded a strong side.

But they struggled initially on Saturday to impose their will on Sean Dyche’s side.

Ashley Barnes fired Burnley ahead in the 25th minute, taking advantage of a mis-kick from John Stones.

But then, two goals inside two minutes from Sergio Aguero, early in the second half, put Pep Guardiola’s side in control.

Goals from Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva made sure of the victory as City cruised into the fourth round.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola praised Aguero and Silva goals, adding that the pair were outstanding and essential to the team.

“Both of Sergio Aguero’s goals were amazing. There were clever and quick and I am happy with both of his goals.

“It’s an honour for me to have Aguero under my command. The quality he has is amazing and we need him to score a lot of goals.

“Aguero is the kind of player that in a matter of seconds can score two goals. He is an essential player for us.

“David Silva is also a legend for the club for what he has done. I am happy for him to have made his statement and it is not easy for him to travel to Spain and England back and forth.

“But we are happy because everyone is playing well. And for today,” he said.

Burnley boss, Sean Dyche, on his part noted that the result was a very strange one, adding that the score line was not a true reflection of how the game went.

“I thought we were very good until they scored their first —- a very contentious goal —- and then we looked a bit punch-drunk.

“It all changed very quickly and my only gripe is how quickly we switched off after the first goal.”

“The first goal was contentious because the referee could use his common sense and stop that from happening.

“The referee said he did not need to blow the whistle. The law and common sense view of refereeing are what are important at that moment.

“Our player is three or four yards away from the referee gesticulating if he is going to blow the whistle and at that moment Manchester City played it into the slot our player would have been.

“It is a strange one today. You come away from a result like that and the score line doesn’t suggest how the game went. There were so many good things from us today,” he said. (Reuters/NAN)