London: Manchester City kept alive their chances of winning four trophies this season, coming back from a goal down to beat Burnley 4-1 in the FA Cup third round, Saturday with two goals from Sergio Aguero at the Etihad Stadium. Elsewhere, second tier Norwich held Chelsea to a goalless draw, while fourth tier club, Coventry City pulled off the only upset of the day as they beat Stoke City 2-1, a result that led to the sacking of manager Mark Hughes immediately after the game.
City, the runaway Premier League leaders, who are also in the last 16 of the Champions League and the English League Cup semifinals, fielded a strong side but struggled initially to impose their will on Sean Dyche’s side.
They ran away with the game in the second half, however, showing the attacking flair that makes talk of a quadruple more than mere speculation.
Burnley, seventh in the Premier League, grabbed a 25th- minute lead when City defender John Stones miskicked a Sam Vokes knockdown and striker Ashley Barnes burst goalwards before blasting the ball past Claudio Bravo.
However, from the beginning of the second half, Pep Guardiola’s side started working their magic. Eleven minutes into the session, Ilkay Gundogan took a quick free-kick to Aguero, catching the Burnley defence off-guard and the Argentine gleefully fired past Nick Pope.
Two minutes later and the same combination put City ahead when Aguero played a neat one-two with the German, collected a clever back-heel return and rounded Pope before slotting into the empty net.
“Both of Sergio Aguero’s goals were amazing, they were clever and quick and I am happy with both of his goals,” Guardiola told reporters.
The gulf in quality became increasingly evident and Leroy Sane made it 3-1 in the 71st minute and Bernardo Silva rounded off the tally five minutes close after a Kevin de Bryune prompt.
Meanwhile Coventry City, the former Cup winners but now plying their trade in the bottom division of the Football League, revived memories of happier times as Jordan Willis and Jack Grimmer scored the goals in a 2-1 victory at the Ricoh Arena.
Willis headed Coventry in front and although Charlie Adam levelled for Stoke from the penalty spot Grimmer fired home Coventry’s winner in the 68th minute.
Stoke manager Hughes would have hoped for respite after his side’s tumble into the Premier League’s relegation zone, but there was none coming in the Midlands clash as they suffered a sixth defeat in the last eight matches.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte made nine changes and his side struggled to make clear-cut chances in a dour game at Norwich who created the better opportunities.
Agencies
