English Premier League: Aguero, Toure ease City’s title pain

Last season’s champions edge past West Ham 2-1; Tottenham draw at Wigan.

LONDON:

Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure scored a pair of fine goals as Manchester City began life as former Premier League champions by winning 2-1 at home to West Ham United yesterday.

City relinquished their league crown to Manchester United earlier in the week but their success over mid-table West Ham tightens their grip on second place and takes them closer to Champions League qualification.

Aguero opened the scoring with a well-worked effort after 28 minutes on a bright, sunny day at the Etihad Stadium.

It was a goal to nourish further regrets about City’s inability to challenge United, with Samir Nasri and David Silva exchanging passes on the left before the Frenchman centred for Aguero to clip the ball beneath Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Toure settled the game seven minutes from time with another memorable strike that saw him arrow a rising left-foot shot into the top-left corner from the edge of the area.

The only blemish on City’s day came in injury time, when goal-keeper Joe Hart allowed a powerful Andy Carroll shot to squirm between his legs and over the line.

“I’m happy for this performance,” said City manager Roberto Mancini.

“I’m unhappy for the goals we missed, as we could have scored more goals, but this has been our problem this season.”

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur snatched a 2-2 draw at Wigan that prevented the home side from climbing out of the relegation zone as Southampton slumped to a 3-0 home loss to West Brom. In the other matches, Stoke City overcame Norwich City 1-0 while Everton beat Fulham with the same score.

‘RVP will remain calm’

Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he has no concerns about the prospect of Robin van Persie facing abuse from fans of his former club Arsenal when the teams clash at the Emirates Stadium today.

The sight of Van Persie is liable to provoke strong feelings among the Arsenal support, but Ferguson believes the Dutchman will not be fazed.

“I don’t bother about it, and I don’t think van Persie should bother about it either,” said the United manager. “I expect a portion of fans will do that. That is the modern generation, I am afraid.”

Roberto Mancini



“I’m happy for this performance but I’m unhappy for the goals we missed, as we could have scored more goals, but this has been our problem this season.”

Sam Allardyce



“In the end, it was a stunning goal from Toure which secured the game for City. Our goals away from home have been poor this year and we must improve on that.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2013.