Agüero and Torres take Manchester City to verge of title with win over Palace
Aguero #Aguero
Sergio Agüero’s time at Manchester City may be coming to an end but he certainly won’t be forgotten in a hurry. A 182nd Premier League goal for the club and his first from open play for 12 months ensured Pep Guardiola’s side moved to within touching distance of a fifth title in a decade since the Argentinian’s arrival from Atlético Madrid.
A victory for reigning champions Liverpool against second-placed Manchester United on Sundaywill confirm what we have all known would happen for some time now. Incredibly, this was City’s 11th successive away victory since drawing at Old Trafford on 12 December – equalling the record set by Chelsea in 2008 and Guardiola’s team in 2017 – with an aggregate score of 28-4. The only question now is whether City can finish off Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday and reach the Champions League final for the first time. In this form, you wouldn’t bet against it.
Related: Make no mistake, Pep Guardiola’s football is a celebration of individuality | Philipp Lahm
At one stage it appeared that City were still suffering the hangover from finishing 18 points behind Liverpool last season and may struggle to mount a title challenge again. But the 28-game unbeaten streak in all competitions that stretched from November before being ended by United at the start of March laid the foundations for the success they are now lapping up.
Having spent most of the season playing without a recognised striker to great effect, Guardiola selected two at Selhurst Park as Ederson, Rodri and João Cancelo were the only starters from the first leg of the semi-final against PSG to retain their places. City have been on the road since their surprise defeat against Leeds on 10 April – a run of six matches and more than 3,000 miles – and their manager said beforehand that unsurprisingly some of his players were “tired and exhausted” from their exploits.
With rumours of a potential free transfer to Chelsea still swirling, Agüero was making only his fifth Premier League start of the season having amassed almost 400 in the previous decade. The Argentinian – at 32 no longer the livewire he one was – was deployed in a deeper role here behind Gabriel Jesus in one of Guardiola’s more conventional formations, although it was a Palace striker who had the best early opportunity.
Christian Benteke’s contract is also up in the summer and his timid header from a perfect Andros Townsend cross was an illustration of why Palace are in no rush to offer their club-record signing another extension. Raheem Sterling was not much better at the other end after dribbling into the penalty area and eventually sending his shot way off target under pressure from Tyrick Mitchell.
Some excellent interplay between Agüero and Jesus that required a last-ditch clearance from Joel Ward was a glimpse of the partnership’s potential in spearheading the attack. But a City defence missing the assuredness of Rúben Dias – who took his place on a star-studded bench alongside Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and the rest – were thankful to escape without conceding when Ederson blocked Benteke’s goalbound shot from close range with his legs.
Related: How Guardiola transformed misfiring Manchester City into champions elect | Jamie Jackson
Palace’s organisation – a hallmark of their manager, of course – continued to frustrate the visitors and a volley from Jesus was correctly disallowed for offside in the 36th minute. Doubts remain over whether Roy Hodgson will continue next season, with the former England manager who turns 74 in August still yet to be offered a new contract.Aside from some brief pressure just before half-time, Palace’s discipline in closing down the spaces for their opponents was an illustration of why he will not be easily replaced.
It was the first time in 21 games that City had failed to muster a shot on target in the first half – a statistic that would not have pleased their manager. But while Foden, Ilkay Gündogan and Bernardo Silva were sent out early to warm up, Guardiola resisted the temptation to make a change.
After another last-ditch clearance from Jesus, his faith was rewarded when Agüero controlled Benjamin Mendy’s pass infield and smashed a shot past Vicente Guaita from 15 yards out. As he took the plaudits from his teammates, Guardiola doffed an imaginary cap to City’s record goalscorer.
“Finally I could play, I’m so happy,” said Agüero afterwards. “It was a long time that I hadn’t played 90 minutes. “I am so happy for the goal and I hope to win the title tomorrow.”
The contest was all over 84 seconds later when Sterling and Jesus combined to set up Ferran Torres, who stroked the ball into the net from the edge of the box, which sparked wild celebrations in the corner – this time led by substitute De Bruyne. It was the 700th they have scored in all competitions under Guardiola since the Spaniard took over in the summer of 2016 – 157 more than any other Premier League side.
Yet even after their quickfire double, City were not finished and could easily have extended their lead had it not been for Guaita and some frantic last-ditch Palace defending. “You have to be switched on all the time against City,” reflected young defender Tyrick Mitchell. “They don’t give you a second’s break. It’s a great experience to play against them.”
Jesus was among those to fail to take advantage as the visitors racked up 13 shots in the second half. But the afternoon already belonged to Agüero.