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Aguero shows why he's still Man City's go-to guy

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Sunday, 28 April 2019 09:18

BURNLEY, England -- Manchester City moved back top of the Premier League with a nail-biting 1-0 victory at Burnley on Sunday. After a goalless first half, City finally found the breakthrough when Sergio Aguero's mishit shot crossed the line by 29.51 millimetres and was awarded by goal-line technology.

Positives

City were under real pressure to keep their title destiny in their own hands after a dismal opening 45 minutes, but they dug deep to secure the three points they needed. With eight days' rest until their next match against Leicester City, this was the biggest test for them remaining physically and they managed to find an extra ounce of energy when it was required most to grind out a victory.

Negatives

A draining doubleheader against Tottenham and Manchester United immediately following their Champions League exit looked like it had caught up to City. They were languid and short of ideas in a disappointing first-half display. It left the game on a knife edge with the Clarets still pushing for an equaliser until the very last kick of the game.

Manager rating out of 10

8 -- Whatever Pep Guardiola said at half-time, he transformed his side after a very poor first half. He had recalled Leroy Sane after his impressive second-half display in the Manchester derby victory, but the German winger failed to take the opportunity he's been craving with a poor display, and the Catalan hooked him early in the second half. The City boss's main surprise was to switch Raheem Sterling to a No. 10 role, with Bernardo Silva outside him, but the move lessened his impact.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Ederson, 7 -- Dealt with high balls, quick off his line to long balls and his usual cool passing.

DF Kyle Walker, 8 -- Guardiola name checked winger Dwight McNeill as a threat going into the game but was kept quiet with Walker the bigger threat going forward.

DF Vincent Kompany, 7 -- Couldn't win every high ball but was largely untroubled by Chris Wood.

DF Aymeric Laporte, 7 -- Gave as good as he got in his typically robust tussle with Ashley Barnes but stopped him being a goal threat.

DF Oleksandr Zinchenko, 6 -- Neat and tidy but his link-up play with Sane was poor as City offered little threat down the left side.

MF Ilkay Gundogan, 6 -- The Clarets did their best to stop him dictating the play, and he wasn't quite the usual influence he has been in recent months.

FW Bernardo Silva, 7 -- A threat moving forward and was unlucky with one rasping drive.

MF David Silva, 6 -- Passing wasn't quite at the mark City expect from the playmaker in a game with such tight spaces.

FW Raheem Sterling, 6 -- Found it difficult to create space as Burnley closed him down at every opportunity.

FW Sergio Aguero, 8 -- Ran hard leading the line and when the moment came he somehow scrambled in the opener.

FW Leroy Sane, 5 -- Struggled to make any impact on the game.

Substitutes

FW Gabriel Jesus, 7 -- Gave City some much needed energy and a greater goal threat, unlucky to have one effort clears off the line.

MF John Stones, N/R -- Gave more protection in front of the back four.

DF Nicolas Otamendi, N/R -- Came on to bolster defence in injury time.

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