Sergio Aguero's Top 20 Moments for Manchester City
Sergio Aguero is fast establishing himself as one of Manchester City's best ever players. His debut season saw him become the first City player to score 30 goals in a top flight campaign since Francis Lee in 1971/72, and last season he managed 17 in an injury-hit year. He's hit the ground running this time around—15 goals in 15 matches already—with Manuel Pellegrini convinced he is the third best player in the world behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (via ESPN).
So let's look back and enjoy Aguero's top 20 moments since moving to Manchester.
20: Aguero Signs
1 of 20City signed Aguero on July 28, 2011 for £38 million from Atletico Madrid. He was given the No. 16 shirt and handed a five-year deal, much to the excitement of the City fans who had witnessed him play in La Liga.
Some felt it was a hefty fee for a relatively untested player, but it's proven a shrewd move. Two-and-a-half years on, City have one of the best players in the world on their hands, and he is still only 25.
Upon signing, he said:
"I spoke to Zabaleta and he talked really positively about the club. When we were talking I asked my agents to do everything they could because this is a good club and I'd always wanted to play in the Premier League. It's a good club and it felt right.
Firstly I don't like very hot weather so on that side of things I will be OK. I'm sure I'm going to enjoy myself here and life will be fine.
Zabaleta has told me all about [the other players] and it's all very positive. He has told me it's a happy squad so when I get the chance to meet my team-mates I'll be able to see exactly what they are like. I've heard only good things about them and I can't wait to meet them.
"
The day he signed was a significant moment, but the best was yet to come.
19: Goal at Stamford Bridge
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His goal at Stamford Bridge earlier this season may have ultimately proved worthless in light of City's 2-1 defeat, but it was yet another demonstration of his ability to score a goal out of nothing. Just after half-time, with City trailing but seeing plenty of the ball, Aguero was put through by Samir Nasri and hit a first time left-foot shot from the edge of the area which flew in the top corner.
The power he generated meant that Petr Cech, a world-class goalkeeper, was beaten at his near post. It was a tremendous strike that would have earned City an excellent point but for a poor mistake from Joe Hart in the final moments.
18: Team Goal Away at Reading
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With Roberto Mancini sacked after defeat to Wigan in the FA Cup final, City travelled to Reading under the guidance of interim manager Brian Kidd, winning 2-0 and easing the pain of a difficult week.
In the midst of all the chaos, City scored one of their best goals of the season—a wonderful team goal involving some beautiful one-touch football from James Milner and David Silva, and a first-time finish from Aguero.
It may have been a fairly meaningless match, but the quality of that goal should never be forgotten.
17: Goal vs. Norwich at Home
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City beat Norwich 5-1 at the Etihad in early December 2011, and Aguero scored his 13th goal of the season after a brilliant piece of ingenuity.
After some twisting and turning inside the box, he audaciously poked the ball through a ruck of Norwich players and into the corner of the net. It was a fine piece of improvisation showcasing Aguero's ability to conjure a magic moment from seemingly nothing.
It's this kind of skill that marks him out as one of the best. It was a truly memorable goal in a comfortable home win.
16: Winner vs. Arsenal in League Cup
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Aguero scored the winner in City's 1-0 League Cup quarter-final win at Arsenal in Novemeber 2011—the club's first away victory over the Gunners in 36 years.
It was a superb counter-attack involving Edin Dzeko and Adam Johnson. Dzeko burst down the left from inside his own half and found Johnson on the edge of the area. He took a touch, spun into space and laid it into Aguero's path for him to finish from close range in the 83rd minute.
It was a largely second-string Arsenal side, but the hoodoo had been lifted, and a psychological blow dealt. City were in to the semi-finals and no longer would they fear travelling to play Arsenal.
15: Goal in 5-1 Win Away at Spurs
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This was one of City's finest performances in recent years as they took Tottenham apart in front of their own supporters. Edin Dzeko scored four, and Aguero one as City maintained their 100 percent start to the season with a 5-1 win at White Hart Lane.
Aguero produced a mazy run, knocked the ball past Michael Dawson with his right and finished from a tight angle with his left.
A stunning goal in a stunning win.
14: Two Goals Against Stoke Ensuring City Top at Christmas
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Aguero's double in the 3-0 win over Stoke on December 21, 2011 ensured City were top at Christmas—a huge moment in their quest for the title. Not since 1929 had City found themselves top of the table on Christmas Day.
They were two of the simplest goals he's scored in a blue shirt, but nonetheless they were very important ones. It ensured City had gone the whole of 2011 unbeaten at home, a solid platform on which their title challenge was mounted.
This was Mancini's two-year anniversary as manager of City and his big-money signing had once again come up with the goals to make sure of victory.
13: Goal in 6-1 Win at Old Trafford
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This result sent a clear message that City meant business. Winning 6-1 away at your biggest rivals is quite a statement, and Aguero played his part in a memorable day for the club.
He scored the goal that put City 3-0 up and firmly in control. A cross from Man of the Match Micah Richards was weighted perfectly, and Aguero finished first time from inside the box.
It was a win that put City five points clear at the top of the table and gave them a huge psychological advantage. Suddenly, everyone at the club believed they had what it took to become Premier League champions, and it turned out they were right.
12: Two Superb Goals in 6-1 Win at Carrow Road
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City reduced United's lead at the top of the table with a superb win 6-1 over Norwich at Carrow Road in April 2012, with Aguero producing two wonderful goals.
After having their early-season lead overhauled by Manchester United, Mancini was playing down City's title chances, but this was a performance that suggested his players knew they could still win it. City were excellent from the off.
Aguero's first was a thumping strike from outside the area after a one-two with Carlos Tevez, who had nonchalantly back-heeled the ball into his teammate's path, and the ball sat up nicely for Aguero who hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
His second was almost as good—a curling right-footed strike inside the far post leaving John Ruddy with no chance.
City's title charge was well and truly on.
11: New One-Year Contract Extension
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During the summer, with 47 goals in 88 games for the club already, Aguero signed a new one-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2017.
He said (per BBC Sport):
""I'm very happy at City and I feel very appreciated," the City website quoted Aguero as saying recently.
"It's been barely two years since I've arrived and sometimes I feel like I've been here for all my life.
"I have a fantastic relationship with the fans. That always reminds me of our title and that goal against QPR.
"Now I am looking forward to next season and pushing hard to win the title again."
"
It was music to City fans' ears after mounting speculation Real Madrid were interested.
10: Goal and Performance Away at Plzen
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After struggling in the Champions League last season, City started their campaign this time around in far better fashion, beating Viktoria Plzen 3-0 away from home.
Aguero was superb all night, with his pace too much for the Czech side to handle. He laid on City's first for Dzeko after he burst past a Plzen defender, and he scored City's third after a brilliant turn and shot from the edge of the area.
9: Two Goals vs. CSKA Moscow
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City beat CSKA Moscow 5-2 to ensure they progressed to the Champions League last 16 for the very first time, and Aguero grabbed another two goals.
He tormented the CSKA defence all night, scoring two and setting one up inside the first 30 minutes to calm City nerves. It was a masterful performance that finally saw City progress in Europe after two failed attempts in previous seasons.
8: Two Goals at Craven Cottage
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City drew this one 2-2 after Aguero's double had given them a comfortable lead.
They dominated the first half, with Silva and Aguero instrumental in City's attacks. His first was a close range finish after a lovely through ball from Nasri, and his second was a brilliant strike from outside the area after a knock-down from Edin Dzeko.
It was a tragedy City couldn't hold on after being in control thanks largely to Aguero's excellence.
7: Volley Against United in 4-1 Win
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One of City's many fine home performances this season, this goal was the best of the lot. A ball into the box from Alvaro Negredo was finished by Aguero, who hit a first-time left-foot volley past David De Gea.
As comprehensive a win as you are likely to see, Aguero was again the star of the show, with this fantastic volley his 50th goal in 74 games for the club.
6: First City Hat-Trick vs. Wigan
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His first hat-trick for City came in a 3-0 win over Wigan at the Etihad in September 2011.
His first was a neat finish from Silva's cutback, and two more simple finishes after assists from Nasri and another from Silva sealed the win.
He took the goals with consummate ease.
5: FA Cup Semi-Final Winner
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After winning the 2011 FA Cup—their first trophy in 35 years—Aguero's header against Chelsea at Wembley in April 2013 ensured they would return for their second final in three years.
City were leading after Samir Nasri's opener, but Aguero's goal proved to be the winner once more. A cross from the right by Gareth Barry was met by the Argentinian's head as he nodded the ball into the far corner.
It was his 45th goal in a City shirt and one of his most important.
4: Debut vs. Swansea
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Aguero announced himself to the City fans in incredible fashion. Brought on by Mancini with 30 minutes of the first game of the season left, he produced a wonderful assist, scored a tap-in and hit a thunderous strike from outside the box that flew into the back of the net.
It was clear to everyone after this brief cameo that City had signed a very special player.
Welcome to Manchester.
3: Incredible Goal vs. Liverpool
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This goal will always be remembered fondly by the City fans.
With City trailing 2-1 at home, Aguero rounded Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina and put the ball home from a seemingly impossible angle. It was a goal of remarkable quality.
It was a disappointing result that saw City fall nine points behind leaders United, but that goal ensured the City faithful had at least something to enjoy.
2: Individual Goal at Old Trafford
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This goal demonstrated some of Aguero's defining features: strength, balance and a low centre of gravity. He dribbled past three United players in the box before rifling a shot into the top corner.
With the title all but over, City were playing for pride. James Milner had opened the scoring, but United equalised on the hour mark after a Vincent Kompany own goal.
However, Aguero's brilliant individual goal meant City left Old Trafford with all three points for the second successive season.
1: Augeroooooo
20 of 20There could, of course, only be one winner.
It's doubtful there will ever be a more exciting moment in the Premier League. With City needing a win at home to Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the 2011/12 season to win their first title in 44 years, they were fluffing their lines. They found themselves 2-1 down in stoppage time, with Manchester United set to be crowned champions.
Edin Dzeko equalised but a win still looked unlikely as the clock ticked down.
City mounted one last attack and the ball fell to Mario Balotelli. Balotelli manged to prod the ball to Aguero, who went past one player before finishing with his right and writing himself into Premier League folklore forever.
As 44 years of pent-up frustration erupted around the Etihad, Sergio Aguero was the hero.
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