Aguero rescues City with hat-trick while Chelsea cruise into the knockout stages

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany hailed Sergio Aguero as a player who can make the impossible possible following the Argentina striker’s stunning Champions League hat-trick in a 3-2 win against Bayern Munich.
Manchester Citys Samir Nasri races to congratulate team-mate Sergio Aguero after the Argentinian had completed a hat-trick to give his side a 3-2 win over Bayern Munich which keeps alive their hopes of progress in the Champions League (Picture: Tim Goode/AP).Manchester Citys Samir Nasri races to congratulate team-mate Sergio Aguero after the Argentinian had completed a hat-trick to give his side a 3-2 win over Bayern Munich which keeps alive their hopes of progress in the Champions League (Picture: Tim Goode/AP).
Manchester Citys Samir Nasri races to congratulate team-mate Sergio Aguero after the Argentinian had completed a hat-trick to give his side a 3-2 win over Bayern Munich which keeps alive their hopes of progress in the Champions League (Picture: Tim Goode/AP).

City looked on course to suffer another European blow after goals from Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski saw Bayern overturn Aguero’s penalty to give the Bundesliga side a 2-1 half-time lead.

Bayern, despite losing Mehdi Benatia to a red card in the 20th minute, maintained that advantage until five minutes from time but then Aguero snatched all three points for City with two goals – the winner coming in stoppage time.

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The hat-trick continued Aguero’s superb goalscoring form for City this season and Kompany admitted they were fortunate to have the 26-year-old in their ranks.

He said: “If you want to succeed at anything, you need a special player in a special form, otherwise you just don’t win anything. He’s our special player and when he’s in that form he makes things achievable that otherwise wouldn’t be.”

Aguero said: “I’m very happy for us, the three points are very important. It was difficult but it was a game we had to win.”

Manchester United assistant manager Ryan Giggs said earlier this week that Chelsea are “head and shoulders” above everyone else in the Premier League, and it shows on the continent too.

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Their 5-0 win at Schalke last night means the Blues are already assured of their place in the knockout rounds.

Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann did well to turn Diego Costa’s effort behind for a corner in the opening minute, only to see John Terry head home.

It was 2-0 after 30 minutes as Willian exchanged passes with Eden Hazard before firing a low shot underneath Fahrmann.

Jan Kirchhoff headed into his own net to put the visitors well and truly in command.

Didier Drogba netted his first chance of the evening and his fellow substitute Ramires headed home just 73 seconds later as Drogba turned provider and Chelsea made it 5-0.