A single goal from Sergio Aguero was enough for Manchester City to take all three points against lowly Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night.
The win for City meant that they are now unbeaten in their last seven games in the league and are keeping pace with league leaders Leicester City.
Manuel Pellegrini will consider these points key as his side enters into the busy February period.
Sunderland, on the other hand, are struggling at the wrong end of the table with Sam Allardyce’s men desperately seeking to find some sort of form in order to escape relegation.
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Aguero and Hart in top form
Despite injuries to important players this season, City have always managed to somehow come up with the goods throughout the campaign. Joe Hart has been in phenomenal form between the sticks this season and his performance against the Black Cats was no different. England’s number one made a couple of outstanding saves in a matter of seconds, first from a Jermaine Defoe shot before quickly getting up to save another from close-range. The 28-year-old has now kept the most number of clean sheets in the league this season (11), even though he has had a faltering defence in front of him for most part of the season.
Aguero has faced his fair share of time on the sidelines this season but nothing seems to affect the Argentine’s form in front of goal. The 27-year-old hit man now has 13 goals to his name in the league and five in his last three games. Despite his injury concerns, Aguero continues to be one of the most dangerous and clinical strikers in the whole of Europe. If City are to go on their way to clinch trophies this season, it is important that Aguero is fit enough to feature for the remainder of the season.
Sunderland looking more likely to go down?
Sunderland fans can be understandably disappointed with the way their team performed in the January transfer window. Despite signing a number of players in January, none of them can actually be considered to be a season-changing signing. Lamine Kone and Wahbi Khazri have both been signed from Ligue 1 and it looks like they will need some time to settle into the Premier League. Dame N’Doye joined on loan from Turkish side Trabzonspor after a disappointing time in Turkey, scoring just one goal this season. Apart from Jermaine Defoe, there has been no real firepower up front while their defending this season has at times been appalling.
The Black Cats will surely need to get a few good results under their belt and quick if they want to survive what looks to be a very difficult season in the Premier League.
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The title race
With Leicester showing no signs of slowing down whatsoever, Arsenal have witnessed a sudden downfall in their form. The Gunners who were top of the league not too long ago now find themselves in fourth position behind Tottenham. Arsenal only have themselves to blame for their lack of quality in the last few weeks which has seen them drop points in each of their last four games. But their dip in form meant that City and Tottenham would have to capitalise and they did. Spurs have lost only thrice this season and are looking more and more likely to claim a coveted Champions League place. City are still considered as strong title contenders and are one of the favourites to claim the title. But take nothing away from the Foxes who have been phenomenal from day 1 as they continue to surprise everyone and rightfully stay atop the league table.
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