Agüero ends Premier League goal drought as Man City roll over Fulham

Sports Desk, Mar 13 (efe-epa).- Sergio Agüero scored in the Premier League for the first time in 417 days on Saturday as champions-in-waiting Manchester City beat Fulham 0-3 at Craven Cottage.

Injuries and a bout with Covid-19 have drastically curtailed Agüero’s playing time and the tie with Fulham was just the fourth start of the season for the 32-year-old Argentine striker.

Coming off their stunning victory over Liverpool at Anfield, Fulham held their own in the first half against a City side just five wins away from winning the league for the third time in four years.

The visitors dominated, but the Londoners kept their chances to a minimum and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola proved equal to the task when City put shots on target.

But the Manchester side surged ahead in the second minute of the second half with a goal by John Stones off Joao Cancelo’s free kick.

After dealing with a strike from Rodri six minutes later, Areola fell victim to a botched clearance by the defense that delivered the ball to Gabriel Silva for an easy goal in the 56th minute.

City continued to press and Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo resorted to taking down Ferran Torres in the box after giving away the ball to the Spaniard.

The referee pointed to the spot and Agüero converted to widen the margin to three goals at the hour mark.

With the win, City go to 68 points, 14 more than second-place Manchester United. Fulham remain on 26 points, the same as Brighton & Hove Albion, but the Seagulls sit just above the drop zone by virtue of better goal difference.

“For Sergio it is important,” City coach Pep Guardiola told BeIN after the match regarding Agüero’s goal. “A long time injured, a tough game with tough opponents. Of course, he is still in the process but it was good to finish 90 minutes in good rhythm and to score a goal for all strikers is important.” EFE apa/dr