3 Key Takeaways from Manchester City vs. West Brom
Manchester City ended their winless run with a 4-0 win over West Brom on Saturday afternoon. Sergio Aguero played an incredible game scoring a brace.
Thank goodness! Manchester City and Pep Guardiola can breathe a sigh of relief. A thunderous 4-0 victory over West Brom ended City’s winless run over six straight games going into Saturday. A first half brace from Sergio Aguero and a second half brace from Ilkay Gundogan secured the three points for the Cityzens. Aguero’s second was the pick of the bunch, a thumping strike from outside the box.
This was the performance City supporters have been waiting to see for quite some time. Despite the defensive set-up of West Brom, City used their pace, passing, and creativity to tear the defense apart. It wasn’t long into the game that City got their breakthrough after a lovely run from Aguero matched only by the pass from Ilkay Gundogan. Aguero then did what he does best and slotted the ball under the goalkeeper.
Once City gained the lead, their first over the course of the recent slump, they were able to play with significantly more freedom. Soon a second goal was scored, and it was that man again, Sergio Aguero. An absolute belter from outside the box left the keeper no chance.
More from Man City Square
- Rodri believes City can have even more success this season
- Grealish, Stones, and Kovacic will NOT play tomorrow
- My Manchester City UCL Group Stage predictions
- After Injury Guardiola is back in Etihad
- Phil Foden Scores Opener for England Against Scotland
The second half was up and down from the Cityzens. Despite adding another two goals, West Brom were pressing for the majority of the half and nearly got to within a goal from Salomon Rondon. After weathering the storm City secured the points, and enough goal difference to go top of the league, though two goals from Ilkay Gundogan. Both clinical finishes from in close assisted by Sergio Aguero and the returning Kevin De Bruyne. There was a lot to learn about this City squad based on today’s performance. Despite it being similar to other games earlier this year (Bournemouth, Stoke, Monchengladbach), those games were during a winning streak. For City to show up, on the road, and perform so well in the face of a long winless streak was truly something to behold.
Below are our three biggest takeaways from Manchester City vs. West Brom on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.
The streak is dead, and it was murdered in cold blood.
The players and staff deserve more credit than most will give but not only was the winless streak ended, but it was stopped emphatically. It would have been really easy for City to try to shut up shop and win the game 1-0 or 2-0, especially after halftime, but Pep and his staff clearly urged City to keep up the pressure. When West Brom tested the defense, they too answered the call emphatically. However, there’s one player who really took the game over and decided the streak was ending, one way or another.
Sergio Aguero was literally on fire.
What about that game from Sergio Aguero. There may not have been a better individual effort in the entire Premier League than Sergio Aguero’s Saturday afternoon. Scoring twice and providing an assist on Gundogan’s first, the Argentine was everywhere in this match. Whether he was needed our right, in the middle, or even dropping deeper at times, this really was an unbelievable performance from City’s talisman. One the team desperately needed.
The defense still has issues.
Despite the clean sheet, City’s defense still has some majors problems. Perhaps some would be solved once Zabaleta and Sagna return to full health and fitness, but until then City are still lackluster at the back. West Brom probably should have scored at least once during their flurry in the second half. Youngster Pablo Maffeo played well midweek against Manchester United but didn’t even make the bench against West Brom. Pep will have his hands full picking a starting XI with Barcelona coming to town on Tuesday.