Stoke 1 Manchester City 4: Sergio Aguero puts penalty demons behind him in tale of two spot-kicks at the Bet365 Stadium
Argentine nets twice in the first half but Mike Dean awards two very soft penalties for contact in the box
SERGIO AGUERO was again the star as Pep Guardiola's Manchester City revolution stepped up a gear against Stoke - but not without a scare.
The Argentine netted twice in the first half as City threatened to run away with the game after playing with a superb intensity.
But the Potters hit back in the second half through Bojan's penalty and pushed City during a frantic conclusion - only for two late goals to settle the nerves.
City looked in complete control but immediately after the break had their lead halved - Raheem Sterling was penalised for holding on Shawcross in a copy of the first-half penalty and Bojan made no mistake.
Both were incredibly harsh and Dean was savaged by fans for not allowing any contact in the box.
Mark Hughes' side worked tirelessly and created a number of good chances - but pushed too far up and were punished late as Nolito tapped in a late double to seal the win.
FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS
1: Any prospect of a duel for England’s No.1 shirt disappeared due to Jack Butland’s dodgy ankle … and Joe Hart’s dodgy feet!
2: The Brit’s become the bet 365 Stadium. But Stoke’s micro-climate NEVER changes. It’s a bleak, windy welcome to AUGUST in the Potteries for Pep!
3: Raheem Sterling’s ‘twin brother’ maintained his sizzling start under Guardiola. His swerving shot, inches over, was better than anything the Euro 16 flop managed.
4: Stoke are raging at the soft pen but Ryan Shawcross DID have a hold of Otamendi’s arm – fine if there’s consistency.
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5: Remember that word consistency? Kolarov chopped down Joe Allen in the box but Mike Dean ignored it.
6: Willy Caballero sliced a pass out the park, prompting Potters fans to chant: “Joe Hart wouldn’t have done that!”
7: Moments later the Argentine goalie is closed down but pings a 35-yard diagonal straight to a teammate – doubt Joe would have done that either!
8: Apparently Shawcross is the first player to concede and win a penalty in the same game for five years – for all you anoraks!
9: With four minutes remaining, Iheanacho brushed aside Allen, rounded Given and squared for Nolito to wrap up three points.
10: Marko Arnautovic – complete with new brassy blonde quiff – was excellent on Stoke’s left. And on that bombshell …..
NEXT FIVE FIXTURES
STOKE:
Everton (a)
Spurs (h)
Crystal Palace (a)
West Brom (h)
Man United (a)
MAN CITY:
West Ham (h)
Man United (a)
Bournemouth (h)
Swansea (a)
Spurs (a)
SOCIAL SAYS
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
STOKE: Given 5, Pieters 6, Wollscheid 6, Shawcross 5, Bardsley 6, Imbula 6 (walters, 6), Whelan 6, Allen 7, Arnautovic 6, Diouf 6, Bojan 6
Subs not used: Crouch, Cameron, Adam, Haugaard, Muniesa
Booked: Allen, Bojan, Shawcross
Goals: Bojan 49'
MAN CITY: Caballero 6, Zabaleta 7, Stones 6, Otamendi 8, Kolarov 7, Silva 7, Fernandinho 7, Sterling 7, De Bruyne 7 (Delph 6), Navas 6 (Nolito 7), Aguero 8 (Iheanacho, 7)
Subs not used: Clichy, Hart, Maffeo
Booked: Stones, Sterling, Stones, Zabaleta
Goals: Aguero 27' 36', Nolito 86' 90+5'
STAR MAN: Sergio Aguero, 8