New Delhi: A brilliant Sergio Aguero scored five goals in 20 minutes against Newcastle United to give Manchester City provisional English Premier League pole position in gameweek eight, even as defending champions Jose Mourinho's Chelsea suffered further humiliation.
In front of a packed Etihad Stadium crowd, the Argentine scored five times to become fifth player in EPL to score five goals in a single match, after Jermain Defoe (for Tottenham Hotspur against Wigan Athletic on on November 22, 2009), Alan Shearer (for Newcastle United against Sheffield Wednesday on September 19, 1999), Andy Cole (for Manchester United against Ipswich Town on March 4, 1995) and Dimitar Berbatov (for Manchester United against Blackburn Rovers on November 27, 2010).
In that incredible 20-minute period, Aguero had nine touches and scored five goals. But, City manager Manuel Pellegrini substituted his star player soon after achieving the feat, with Wilfred Bony.
His new team-mate Kevin De Bruyne from Wolfsburg broke the scoring sequence in the 53rd minute, before the former Atletico Madrid man scored two more goals in the 60th and 62nd minute.
In the process, Aguero also equalled Carlos Tevez's Argentinian goal-scoring record in EPL with 84 goals apiece. Interestingly, he missed a penalty against Tottenham Hotspur in 2014 after scoring four goals, thus squandering his first chance to score five goals in a single match.
But embattled Mourinho's fortunes took further beating after visiting Southampton toyed with his players at Stamford Bridge, for a 1-3 defeat. Chelsea started sprightly with Willian scoring his fourth goal in an equal number of games, but a Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle patnership rocked London, scoring one each and setting up each other also, in a space of 12 minutes in the second half. Earlier, Steven Davis opened his scoring account in the 44th minute to equalise for the visitors.
The defeat was Mourinho's worst home performance as a manager in Europe. And they are now lying at 16th place with eight points.
Earlier, Crystal Palace blanked West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at home to climb to third place. Yannick Bolasie scored the first goal from a Yohan Cabaye cross. Cabaye then, converted a late penalty for the second goal.
West Ham United could manage only a 2-2 draw at struggling Sunderland. Sunderland started well to take a 2-0 lead with goals from Steven Fletcher and Jeremain Lens. But Carl Jenkinson and Dimitri Payet scored for the Hammers to share the spoils. Lens was sent off for two yellow cards. In between, Dick Advocaat is rumoured to be leaving Sunderland.
Bournemouth squandered a good chance to beat fellow promoted-side Watford at home. The match ended 1-1 draw after full debutant Glenn Murray failed to convert a penalty, after scoring the opener. For Watford, Odion Ighalo scored at the break to return with a point.
At Villa Park, Marko Arnautovic scored to give Stoke City a 1-0 win against Aston Villa and their second three points of the season.
Leicester returned strongly after the Arsenal hammering last month to win 2-1 over Norwich at Carrow Road. Jamie Vardy scored his seventh goal of the season to give Leicester lead in the 28th minute, then Jeffery Schlupp doubled the lead in the 47th minute, before Dieumerci Mbokani pulled one back for the hosts. With the win, Cladio Ranieri's have returned to top-four.
On Sunday, Manchester United travel to Arsenal, while Everton host Liverpool in their Merseyside derby. Swansea meanwhile take on Tottenham Hotspur as mid-table fight sets to assume new proposition.
