21 January, 2019
Manchester City scored their 100th goal of the
season as they eased past managerless
Huddersfield to move back to four points behind
Premier League leaders Liverpool.
David Wagner left the Terriers by mutual consent on
Monday with the club bottom of the league, leaving
coach Mark Hudson temporarily in charge.
City, who had netted 19 goals in their past three
games, were not at their free-scoring best in the
first half at the John Smith's Stadium.
But the defending champions went ahead in the
18th minute when Danilo's long-range effort
deflected in off the head of Christopher Schindler.
The visitors then struck twice in two minutes after
the break to put the game to bed, with Leroy Sane
creating the first and scoring the second.
First, the Germany forward whipped in a cross for
Raheem Sterling to dive and head in his 12th goal
of the season.
Then Sergio Aguero cushioned a header for Sane to
run on to and finish past Jonas Lossl.
It was not a vintage display by Pep Guardiola's side
but they remain in title contention.
Borussia Dortmund coach Jan Siewert has been
approached by Huddersfield for the vacant job, but
he will face a mammoth task to keep them in the
top flight if he takes over.
This was their ninth defeat in 10 league games and
the result leaves the Terriers bottom of
City get the job done
With Liverpool edging a seven-goal thriller against
Crystal Palace on Saturday, City's mission in
Yorkshire was simply to win and stay in touch.
Guardiola tweaked his line-up with Gabriel Jesus,
who had scored seven goals in his past three
games, dropped to the bench in favour of Aguero,
who made his first start since the 2-1 win over
Liverpool on 3 January.
City should have been awarded a penalty in the
13th minute when Terence Kongolo went into the
back of Sterling.
Danilo's goal lifted a sloppy first half during which
even Kevin de Bruyne, usually so assured in
possession, was wasteful.
That was City's 100th in all competitions this
season - and they are the first side in Europe's top
five leagues (England, France, Germany, Italy and
Spain) to reach the landmark.
Bar the two-goal burst, the visitors were nowhere
near their attacking best, even when the two Silvas
- Bernardo and David - came on in the second half.
Aguero barely threatened and only managed one
shot, a half chance in the first half.
It was not the demolition many had predicted but
ultimately it was mission accomplished for City,
who have now scored 23 goals without reply and
not conceded for 386 minutes.
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