EPL: Sergio Aguero hat-trick leads Man City rout over Huddersfield

Sergio Aguero compiled his 13th hat-trick for Manchester City as the champions thrashed Huddersfield 6-1.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal against Huddersfield at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

Sergio Aguero compiled his 13th hat-trick for Manchester City as the champions made light of the absence of the injured Kevin De Bruyne to thrash Huddersfield 6-1 and move joint top of the English Premier League.

But it was a day to forget for City’s arch rivals Manchester United, who slumped 3-2 at the home of Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan’s Brighton.

Huddersfield, who were without Ryan’s Australia teammate Aaron Mooy because his wife Nicola was going into labour, were never likely to replicate last season’s feat of stopping City scoring at home.

Aguero struck twice before the break and, after hitting a post and passing up a series of other opportunities, completed his ninth top-flight treble with a deft 75th-minute finish in a 6-1 rout.

Aguero scored after 25 and 35 minutes, either side of Gabriel Jesus’ effort, before Jon Gorenc Stankovic reduced the deficit to 3-1 at the break. David Silva restored City’s dominance with a fine free-kick three minutes after the restart.

Aguero’s third came with manager Pep Guardiola preparing to replace him, and Terence Kongolo’s own goal six minutes from time completed the scoring, with the Terriers suffering badly without key midfield ringmaster Mooy.

Meanwhile at the Amex Stadium, woeful defending led to two Brighton goals in the space of two minutes in the first half as Glenn Murray and Shane Duffy outsmarted Manchester United’s $200 million back four.

Eric Bailly was particularly exposed and, having conceded a needless corner that led to Duffy’s first Premier League goal, he then blundered in to foul Pascal Gross, who put away the penalty for the home side’s third goal via David de Gea’s leg on the stroke of halftime.

Although Romelu Lukaku had earlier reduced the deficit with a trademark header, United looked ill-equipped to mount a comeback and Paul Pogba’s injury-time penalty made the scoreline closer than the match.

“Too many mistakes. We were punished by every mistake we made,” rueful boss Jose Mourinho said.

Reuters