MANCHESTER: Sergio Aguero scored a hat trick, with one of the goals set up by his own goalkeeper, as Manchester City turned on the style in a 6-1 thrashing of Huddersfield to claim top spot in the Premier League on Sunday.
High up on the highlight reel in the latest exhibition by City was a 70-meter pass from goalkeeper Ederson Moraes from his own penalty area that found Aguero running behind Huddersfield鈥檚 high line.
Aguero cut inside and chipped Huddersfield鈥檚 stranded 鈥榢eeper Ben Hamer, setting City on its way to its second straight win to open the season. With eight goals already, it鈥檚 an ominous start by the defending champions.
City鈥檚 other scorers were Gabriel Jesus, who started up front alongside Aguero in a 3-5-2 formation, and long-serving playmaker David Silva, who curled in a delightful free kick. A miserable afternoon at Etihad Stadium for Huddersfield was wrapped up by Terence Kongolo鈥檚 84th-minute own-goal.
It was Aguero鈥檚 ninth Premier League hat trick, bettered only by Alan Shearer鈥檚 11. City began their title defense by beating Arsenal 2-0 away last weekend, and Pep Guardiola鈥檚 men are already looking ominous as they seek to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since their cross-city rivals United managed three in a row between 2006 and 2009.
Guardiola鈥檚 side are top already having scored eight goals in two games, conceding just one. Huddersfield, meanwhile, drop to the bottom of the standings on goal difference.