CHELSEA 0, MANCHESTER CITY 3
Sergio Aguero scores hat trick to see off Chelsea and move up to third
Kevin De Bruyne runs the show for City on his first return to Stamford Bridge
Thibaut Courtois sent off for fouling Fernandinho late on
Sergio Aguero’s hat trick saw off Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as Manchester City enhanced their chances of a top-four finish to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
The Argentine hit-man, who had only scored twice in his last nine games and missed a penalty against Paris St Germain on Tuesday, finished the game with the match ball and on 21 Premier League goals for the season, just one behind Harry Kane, as City profited from a counter attacking game that demolished Chelsea.
City’s rich vein of form has coincided with the return to action of Kevin De Bruyne who was instrumental once again as the Blues came together as a team to beat Chelsea.
De Bruyne had already swept home the winner against Paris St Germain on Tuesday and was behind many of City’s best moves as they delivered a warning to their next Champions League opponents, Real Madrid.
The Belgian almost delivered a tap-in for Aguero after just three minutes, with the Argentine denied by a block by Cesar Azpilicueta.
He was also denied by Thibaut Courtois after being put through by Yaya Toure soon afterwards as City punished Chelsea for every mistake they made.
De Bruyne wasn’t the only City player on song, with Samir Nasri carving out chances following his own return from injury, and he might have beaten Courtois with a couple of efforts had he been fully match fit.
It wasn’t all City traffic, however, and Chelsea might have been with a couple of early chances of their own.
Joe Hart was rescued by Nicolas Otamendi on the line after Pedro’s shot deflected off the City ‘keeper after Diego Costa had caused early mayhem in City’s area.
Although Chelsea had decent chances early in the first half it was City who took control as the game went on.
The Blues counter attacked from Chelsea’s corner with Aguero setting De Bruyne free before rushing upfield to meet the Belgian’s return pass as both galloped upfield. His shot took a deflection and beat Courtois after 33 minutes.
City’s second goal came soon after the break from another Chelsea attack. De Bruyne found Nasri who slid the ball to Aguero who had timed his run perfectly and lifted the ball over Courtois with just 54 minutes on the clock.
There was a moment of dissent from the whole hearted Pablo Zabaleta after he was wisely withdrawn before he was sent off against Pedro, after escaping what could have been a second yellow card, as Chelsea tried to rally in the second half.
But Chelsea were finished in the 80th minute when Aguero released Fernandinho for yet another gallop upfield which only ended when the overworked Courtois brought the Brazilian down and was given his marching orders.
Aguero didn’t hesitate to drill in a penalty past substitute keeper Asmir Begovic for his hat trick as City completed a memorable victory to move up to third place, above Arsenal, and crucially four points ahead of rivals Manchester United in fifth with five games to go.