Sergio Aguero signed off from the Premier League in perfect style, scoring twice after coming on as a substitute as champions Man City finished with a 5-0 win over Everton, whose European dreams were ended with defeat at the Etihad Stadium
The moment every City fan wanted came in the 65th minute when Aguero, who will leave after 10 years at the club, replaced Riyad Mahrez, and it took him just six minutes to get on the scoresheet with a smart finish past Jordan Pickford.
He struck again five minutes later with a brilliant header, and he had a few more chances to add to his 260 City career goals, but he had to make do with a double as he ended his Premier League career in fairy-tale style.
City, back in front of their fans at the Etihad, also finished their Premier League campaign in style as they steamrolled Everton. They looked every bit the champions as strikes from Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus gave Pep Guardiola’s side an early lead.
Everton grew into the game and they did cause City’s defence plenty of problems, but they spurned their golden chance to get back into the match as Ederson saved Gylfi Sigurdsson’s penalty after Ruben Dias brought down Richarlison inside the penalty area.
Phil Foden added a third early in the second half before the Aguero show meant that City, who got their hands on the Premier League trophy, warmed up for next week’s Champions League final in perfect style.
Meanwhile, it was a disappointing end to the season for Everton. Their European dreams were dashed by the big defeat at City and Carlo Ancelotti’s side finish in a disappointing 10th.
Watch: Man City lift the Premier League title
How City and Aguero’s memorable afternoon unfolded…
Manchester City’s Fernandinho raises the trophy to celebrate winning the English Premier League title after the soccer match between Manchester City and Everton at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, Sunday, May 23, 2021.(AP Photo/Dave Thompson, Pool)
For Manchester City, it was a celebration from start to finish. Not only were supporters back after 14 months away but it was their first chance to salute the champions and acknowledge their European exploits.
On the pitch, Everton formed a guard of honour to greet City and players from both sides then did likewise for the man of the moment Aguero.
However, supporters would have to wait to see the Argentinian in action with the striker, having been troubled by a muscular injury in recent weeks, not fit enough to play the full 90 minutes after asking Guardiola if he could start from the bench.
Despite his absence, City soon hit their stride. They took the lead after 11 minutes as De Bruyne brilliantly controlled a powerfully-hit pass from Riyad Mahrez before bending a low shot past Pickford from the edge of the area.
Kevin De Bruyne celebrates his goal (AP)
Within moments the lead was 2-0 as Fernandinho robbed Michael Keane on halfway and De Bruyne released Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian raced into the area and cut inside Ben Godfrey to clip a fine shot into the far corner.
Everton attacks were a rarity, but they eventually grew into the game and they were awarded a penalty after 32 minutes when Richarlison broke through and was challenged in the area by Ruben Dias and Ederson. Either collision could have resulted in a foul but, with Dias booked, it seemed the Portuguese was the one punished.
Ederson ensured it wouldn’t matter, though, as he confidently pushed away Sigurdsson’s effort from the spot.
City stepped it up in response with Mahrez hitting the bar and Foden having an effort deflected wide early in the second half. Dias then shot at Pickford and Jesus fired over before Foden showed brilliant footwork in the area to make it 3-0 after good work from Jesus and Sterling.
Gabriel Jesus celebrates with teammates after doubling City’s lead (AP)
City sent on Aguero with just under half an hour remaining and he soon made his mark.
The Argentinian made it 4-0 as he jinked through the area in the 71st minute and deftly flicked the ball past Pickford with the outstep of his right boot.
He claimed his second, and City’s fifth, soon after as he leapt from the edge of the area to plant a header past Pickford from a Fernandinho cross.
He could even have had a hat-trick as he connected with another header, but this time Pickford saved to rip up the script.
However, it mattered little as Aguero stole the show and gave the 10,000 fans inside, who also witnessed the post-match ceremonies – which included the club tributes to Aguero – an afternoon t remember at the Etihad.
What the managers said…
4:24
An emotional Pep Guardiola paid tribute to the departing Sergio Aguero as the Argentine scored twice in his final appearance at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: “It’s completely different without people, we are so lucky to have people when we lift the trophy, it’s not full but it’s something. It’s so much better.
“Every title is nice; this one is different because of the pandemic and the problems that we have all had. That makes it mega special.”
On how they won the title: “Win games, game after game. I think when we won at Stamford Bridge, we realised that suffering in the last month, the performance we played there with just 14 players we realised we are still here, we can still do this. We are still here. I think December until March we won all the games in all competitions. This is when we became champions.”
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti: “Today it was not a good game. It was a difficult match because we played against the best team in the Premier League.”
Opta stats – Sergio Aguero’s fairytale ending
2:58
Sergio Aguero thanks his team-mates and says it’s an honour to have been a Manchester City player for the last decade.
- In his final Premier League appearance for the club, Sergio Agüero scored his 183rd and 184th league goals for Manchester City, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s record for most Premier League goals for a single club (183 with Manchester United). Agüero scored two goals as a substitute for only the second time for the club, the first being his debut against Swansea City in August 2011.
- Everton have lost each of their last seven Premier League games against Manchester City, only losing more games consecutively in the competition against Manchester United from 1999-2004 (nine).
- Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti suffered the heaviest defeat of his managerial career in what was his 1,167th game in management.
- Manchester City gave away 10 penalties in the Premier League this season, the most they have ever conceded in a single campaign in the competition.
- Kevin De Bruyne has scored 18 goals from outside the box in the Premier League since joining Manchester City, the second-most of any player since his debut, behind Harry Kane (19). Indeed, 43% of his league goals for Manchester City have come from outside the box (18/42).
- Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus has scored eight goals in eight Premier League games against Everton, at least three more goals than he has scored against any other opponent in the competition.
What’s next for Man City?
For Manchester City, attention now turns to the Champions League final. They face Chelsea next Saturday (May 29); kick off 8pm.
What’s next? Euros, transfer window, 2021/22 key dates
Euro 2020 kicks off on Friday June 11 – just 19 days after the conclusion of the 2020/21 Premier League season – and runs until Sunday July 11.
The 2021/22 Premier League campaign will start on the weekend of Saturday August 14 – 34 days after that Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
Clubs will be able to start planning for the new term when the top-flight fixtures are released at 9am on Wednesday, June 16 but transfer business can start in earnest before then, with the summer transfer window opening on Wednesday June 9.
The 2021/22 Championship season begins a week before the top-flight one on the weekend of Saturday August 7. All Sky Bet EFL fixtures will be announced at 9am on Thursday June 24.