Super-sub Aguero bails out Manchester City
Substitute Sergio Aguero proved Manchester City's hero in a tense 2-1 win over Burnley at the Etihad Stadium, despite playing almost an hour with 10 men.
The Argentinian striker - surprisingly dropped to the bench for City's second game in 48 hours after the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool - was introduced as a second-half replacement for Kelechi Iheanacho and subsequently proved the match-winner, after stand-in captain Fernandinho had been sent off.
The Brazilian jumped in with a two-footed scissor motion to challenge Johann Berg Gudmundsson in the 32nd minute and, despite appearing to get a touch on the ball, was shown a straight red by referee Lee Mason.
City kept its cool, though, and two goals in the space of four minutes from Gael Clichy and Aguero got its title bid back on track - much to the clear relief of Pep Guardiola.
Burnley set up a tense finale when Ben Mee fired home after a goalmouth scramble, but City held on for a win that sends them up to third, though Arsenal and Tottenham could yet displace them when they play on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
Defeat at Anfield on Saturday had left City 10 points adrift of Premier League leader Chelsea, meaning Guardiola’s side could ill afford anything other than three points.
