Aguero hat-trick vindicates Guardiola’s about turn over Sanchez

Posted Sunday, January 21, 2018 by PA

Pep Guardiola insisted Sergio Aguero’s hat-trick to beat Newcastle 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium vindicated his decision to abandon plans to add another striker to his squad during the transfer window.

City had been heavily linked with Manchester United-bound Alexis Sanchez but Aguero’s clinical performance against the Magpies suggested City’s champions-elect have no great need to add to their attacking riches.

Aguero glanced home Kevin De Bruyne’s cross to give his side a slender half-time advantage before adding his second from the penalty spot.

Three goals, three points, one hattrick, one City!
GALLERY 📸 https://t.co/UimxnOTIcI #cityvnufc pic.twitter.com/AzIv4285xR
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 20, 2018

Jacob Murphy reduced the deficit for the visitors before Aguero restored City’s 12-point lead at the top of the table when he slotted home after a dazzling piece of work from Leroy Sane.

Guardiola said: “We are not going to buy a striker because we have him (Aguero) and in two to three weeks Gabriel (Jesus) is back.

“Sergio has his special talent because he didn’t touch the ball before his first goal, and there are no words to describe how good he is in a special position, and I am so happy for him.

#manchestercity 3-1 #newcastle 🔥⚽️🔥 well done guys 👊🏻 +3 pic.twitter.com/eUHLpnOXxs
— Nicolas Otamendi (@Notamendi30) January 20, 2018

“The club always tries to improve the team and tries to help the guys to be closer to reach our targets, (but) if one person decides not to come we are not going to be sad – this chapter is over, it is finished and we are going to think about the future.”

Guardiola was especially satisfied with the way his side responded to last week’s 4-3 defeat at Liverpool, insisting it was imperative to bounce back with three points in order to prevent inevitable questions over their ability to maintain their title charge.

“I said after the game (against Liverpool) we need this kind of result to realise what we have done and the way we ran and fought against a team that defended with 10 or 11 players in the box was so good.

"We were unhappy after the last game so it’s great to win tonight. The season is long. We are happy now, but we must keep going"
– @aguerosergiokun #MCINEW pic.twitter.com/wMQFRvwpqD
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 20, 2018

“In general I am very satisfied. After a defeat you always have a little bit of doubt about how you are going to react and what happens if you go two games in a row without winning.

“That’s why it was so important. Now we have two competitions, the Carabao Cup and the (FA) Cup and then we need to kick on. Mathematically we need 10 victories to be champions and we are going to try to win game by game.”

Magpies boss Rafael Benitez repeated his hope that he will still be able to add to his squad during the transfer window despite the apparent collapse of takeover talks at the club.

🎥 NUFC TV: Rafa Benítez reflects on today''s 3-1 defeat at @premierleague leaders @ManCity.
Watch the full interview: https://t.co/3IpsgaO19T #NUFC pic.twitter.com/ILEdiaFTl5
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 20, 2018

Benitez said: “In my last conversation with Mike Ashley he said we have the green light to sign players and I would like to see some of them come in before 31 January and I have confidence we will do it.

“It is obvious the team is working very hard and we need more experience and quality to help the team. We have a list of players and then we have to try our best to make sure that we bring in what we need.”

Benitez praised the performance of his side who came close to claiming an unlikely point after Murphy’s superb finish reduced the deficit midway through the second half.

He added: “Obviously I’m not happy because we lost but the team work and team spirit was quite positive. They had a penalty which was very soft and we had chances after that. It’s a pity but you have to say they are a very good team.”