Pep Guardiola’s first home game of the season began in the sunshine at the Etihad with a stunning 6-1 victory over David Wagner’s Huddersfield Town.
The expected City pressure began almost immediately after kick-off, and two minutes in and City had the first corner of the game. The ball fell to the magical David Silva on the edge of the box before he slotted in Jesus who took aim and had his shot saved by keeper Ben Hamer.
A surprise selection came from David Wagner in starting Ben Hamer instead of Jonas Lossl, who was so influential in the Terriers relegation fight last season. Only minutes later City had yet another golden chance. Silva again the creator, twisting and turning, left the defender on his knees and sent in a magnificent floated ball, which crashed against the knees of Jesus and rebounded into the grateful grasp of Hamer.
Mid-way into the first half and City finally found a way to break through the Huddersfield defence. The goal took 24 minutes, and was surprisingly created by goalkeeper Ederson who pumped the ball forward over the Terriers press with a 70/80 yard kick and unleashed Aguero in a 1 v 1. Aguero, as calm as you like, beat the defender with ease and chipped the ball over Hamer who was on the edge of his box. This goal alone shows why Pep wanted Ederson so badly, not just having his shot stopping ability but his forward thinking and footwork as seen in this goal.
And before you know it City added a second. A great goal courtesy of a powerful and pacey charge down the left by Benjamin Mendy; the ball fell to Jesus who only needed one touch before dispatching his shot into the bottom left corner beyond Hamer. Only half an hour had been played and the hosts were two up at home.
Four minutes later and City got their third. A goalkeeping nightmare saw Aguero poke home from two yards out. Once again it was Mendy causing chaos down the left and his cross was parried into the path of the striker who added City’s third and his second.
Minutes before the half time break the Terriers clawed a goal back. It came from a routine long throw in as Mounie flicked on a header and made it impossible for Jon Stankovic to miss from a yard out. John Stones was caught on his heels and let Pep Guardiola’s precious clean sheet vanish minutes before the half-time whistle.
The second half began to cheering City supporters who wanted a goal fest for their first home game of the season. From the visitors perspective surely damage limitation was the best they could of been aiming for in next 45.
Only three minutes had been played in the second half and with the wave of his wand the little Spaniard David Silva added a bit of magic. Silva, who was back in the City starting XI, curled a magnificent 25-yard free-kick past Ben Hamer leaving the Huddersfield wall in awe; this goal you can’t fault the Terriers keeper for; it was simply unstoppable.
Inevitably the showman Aguero got his third and what a way to so. Benjamin Mendy yet again set up another goal, his cross from the left found Sergio Aguero, who leaped up and flicked the ball with a deft touch first-time past Ben Hamer, to increase City’s total to five. That was the Argentine’s last touch before being substituted, as he walked off to a warming standing ovation from supporters of both teams after a scintillating individual performance.
84 minutes in and Terence Kongolo increased the Citizens total to six. Substitute Leroy Sane did what he does best, striding down the left before he played a low ball across the six-yard area which the unfortunate Kongolo bundled into his own net following a save by Hamer.
What does this mean
Man City
This result puts Manchester City back in their favourite top spot, joint on points with Chelsea, but with a superior goal difference thanks to this result, they are back into the prime position. City’s next three fixtures include Wolves, Newcastle and Fulham, and after this result their front line will be licking their lips at three promising fixtures.
Huddersfield Town
This results drops the Terriers into rock bottom with a resounding -6 goal difference after just two games. But with easier games on the horizon including Cardiff, Everton and Crystal Palace, David Wanger must motivate his players to avoid becoming early relegation candidates
