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Manchester City nets four goals in 25 minutes, rips Chelsea

By Alex Butler
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero is now tied with Alan Shearer for the most hat tricks in Premier League history after scoring three times against Chelsea on Sunday in Manchester, England. Photo by Nigel Roddis/EPA-EFE
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero is now tied with Alan Shearer for the most hat tricks in Premier League history after scoring three times against Chelsea on Sunday in Manchester, England. Photo by Nigel Roddis/EPA-EFE

Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Manchester City demolished Chelsea with a 6-0 Premier League victory -- including four scores in 25 minutes -- at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England.

Sergio Aguero led the Sky Blues with yet another hat-trick in the Sunday scoring spree. Raheem Sterling drew first blood in the fourth minute, before Aguero scored twice in six minutes. Ilkay Gundogan added another score in the 25th minute for an early four-goal advantage.

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Aguero completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute before Sterling scored the final tally in the 80th minute. The three-goal showing was the 11th hat-trick of Aguero's career, tying him for the most in Premier League history with Alan Shearer.

"I have to continue the same way, but it's important to win," Aguero told ManCity.com.

Bernardo Silva ripped into the box to track down a pass off of a free kick during the first scoring sequence. The forward slid a pass through traffic, finding Sterling at the far post. Sterling ripped a one-touch effort past Kepa Arrizabalaga for the first score.

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Aguero found the net for the first time just nine minutes later. Left back Oleksandr Zinchenko dribbled the ball through traffic at the start of that sequence. The defender managed to get the ball to Aguero just before losing possession. Aguero immediately ripped a 25-yard shot from the left side, beating Arrizabalaga to the top right corner of the net.

He returned to the scoring column six minutes later. Zinchenko sent in a cross during that sequence, but the Blues failed to adequately clear the offering. The Chelsea defense headed the ball backwards, where it found Aguero sitting wide open. He calmly volleyed the errant header from point-blank range, putting the Sky Blues up 3-0 in the 19th minute.

Sterling fired in a cross to Aguero inside the box during the next scoring sequence. Aguero lost the ball, but the failed Chelsea clearance found the boot of Gundogan at the top of the box. The midfielder drilled a low shot into the right side of the net past Arrizabalaga for a four goal lead, which City would keep at the break.

Aguero completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute after Fernandinho took down Sterling in the box, prompting a penalty from the Argentine.

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David Silva sent a through ball for Zinchenko in the 80th minute before the defender sent a cross onto Sterling for the final goal of the day. Sterling smashed in the one-touch effort from about five yards out to make the score final.

"We played good, Sergio made incredible goal, but it wasn't easy, we defended deeper like never before," City manager Pep Guardiola said. "They had one chance but they cause problems and find the space.

"Six goals against Chelsea is not easy."

City faces Newport County in the fifth round of the FA Cup at 12:30 p.m. Saturday before returning to Champions League play.

"Sergio is a player we depend on," Sterling said. "You saw with his first strike putting the ball in the top corner -- you have to cherish players like that."

"It was a terrific performance from the team -- the manager set us up and got us ready for the game."

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