Sergio Aguero Finally Finds His Best Form as Manchester City Destroy Newcastle

Before Manchester City’s match with Newcastle United on Saturday, Sergio Aguero had been having a poor season by his own remarkably high standards. His finishing had lacked its usual quality, and his movement and general sharpness were missing. It was becoming a real concern for Manuel Pellegrini that his principal goalscorer had just one goal from open play and looked well below par, bereft of his usual pace and dynamism.

However, a wonderful 22-minute period against Newcastle, where he touched the ball just nine times but scored five goals as City came from behind to beat Steve McClaren’s struggling side 6-1, has eliminated any building concerns. This was a sensational display, with Aguero looking completely revitalised before his substitution in the 66th minute, much to the relief of the City fans who were wondering where the player who finished as the league's top scorer last season had gone. 

He is now only the fifth player to score five goals in a single Premier League match, joining an elite group of players that includes Alan Shearer, Andy Cole, Jermain Defoe and Dimitar Berbatov.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

This, though, was the fastest five-goal haul in the league’s history and perhaps the most impressive. His first three completed a perfect hat-trick—left-foot, right-foot and header. His fourth was a beautiful curling effort that flew past Tim Krul into the bottom corner before a back-post tap-in for his fifth. Aguero suddenly looked like a player at his very best, showcasing his killer instincts and superb ability on the ball. 

"I am very happy for Kun," Pellegrini told reporters afterwards. "He deserves it. He is always a player who makes a difference. For different reasons in the last games he misses important chances but he was calm.

"He demonstrates every year what he can do. Last year he was the top scorer of the Premier League. Three years ago, he decides the title in two minutes."

"

3.42pm - 1-1 (Aguero) 4.07pm - 2-1 (Aguero) 4.09pm - 3-1 (Aguero) 4.18pm - 5-1 (Aguero) 4.20pm - 6-1 (Aguero) pic.twitter.com/Rwl0iU7Lwh

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 3, 2015"

The Argentinian was the clear Man of the Match, but Kevin De Bruyne, who continues to make a mockery of Jose Mourinho’s decision to sell him to Wolfsburg 18 months ago, deserves a special mention.

He, once again, lit up proceedings and made City tick, constantly wanting the ball and creating chances with his superb vision and range of passing. His goal, City’s fourth, a volley from inside the area after Jesus Navas’ inviting ball in, capped a remarkable performance from the 24-year-old Belgian.

Much was made about the fee City sanctioned to bring him to the Etihad—a club-record £55 million. On the evidence of what we’ve seen thus far, it looks a bargain. He has four goals in his last five appearances and looks increasingly comfortable in a side chasing the title.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

He adds brilliance to City’s forward line, which, when it clicks like it did here, is the best in the division. He can deliver from wide areas, his work rate is superb and he has a knack of providing moments of real quality in the final third. His assists for Aguero’s third and fifth goals were wonderful examples of his subtle genius.

He links up expertly with David Silva already. The Spaniard was imperious against Newcastle, particularly in the second period where he continually dropped between the lines and caused damage. He remains the heartbeat of the side. Without his influence, City look far less impressive in the final third.

His brilliant one-two with Pablo Zabaleta and perfectly weighted ball to the back post in the build up to Aguero's first was a crucial juncture in the match, with City, at that stage, on the back foot. 

"

Simply the best - @DeBruyneKev and skipper Joe Hart pay tribute to @aguerosergiokun Read: http://t.co/f7uATEBkkY pic.twitter.com/Ahbkm1tJ6e

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 3, 2015"

The quality of City’s second-half display deserves great credit and saw them at their attacking best, yet the defensive frailties that have undermined their recent displays were once again on show in the first half.

They are conceding too much space. For the first 20 minutes of this match, Newcastle looked like scoring every time they attacked. The returning Zabaleta looked understandably rusty, while new signing Nicolas Otamendi’s fraught start to life at City continued.

Otamendi veers from a commanding, aggressive presence, to a player whose positional sense is lacking. His physical attributes are clear, but the pace of English football is perhaps taking him by surprise. Pellegrini will be expecting him to improve quickly. In truth, it was only Eliaquim Mangala in City's back four who escaped this match with his reputation in any way enhanced. 

"

.@aguerosergiokun is back! @Elia22Mangala on #MCFC's win over @NUFC... watch now: http://t.co/P0AWYXqkKm pic.twitter.com/uzjVRWxepu

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 3, 2015"

For Newcastle, their woes continue. They have the seventh-highest wage bill in the division, yet stumble from one disaster to another. The culture of the club is damaged and it’s difficult to see an easy route out. McClaren, who didn’t win any of his final four matches in charge of Middlesbrough, is without a Premier League victory since April 2006. He desperately needs one in the next match at home to Norwich.

Having taken the lead through Aleksandar Mitrovic, they could and should have scored more. They will rue their missed chances—Joe Hart's save from the Serbian at 1-0 was crucial—but there were positive signs in their first-half performance.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

City’s victory sees them return to the top of the table, for now at least, and avoid an unwelcome record. Not since Mark Hughes’ time in charge had City lost three straight Premier League games.

And with Aguero having found form in spectacular fashion, they will now feel confident of going on another run of positive results and reasserting the dominance they showed in the opening weeks of the season.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.