Manuel Pellegrini’s side did much more than take full command of the top four chase by so comprehensively taking Chelsea apart in their own stadium at the weekend. They also took on a new mood for the end of the season.
Real Madrid should be much more fearful of their semifinal opponents than many in the Spanish media had been after Friday’s draw. The win puts City four points clear of Manchester United, as former Real Madrid target Sergio Aguero claimed a fine hat trick, ably assisted by the brilliant Kevin De Bruyne, with the last goal of the game also seeing international teammate Thibaut Courtois sent off late on.
The oddity is City were initially lethargic as Chelsea had the better of the early chances. Once City got a hold of the game on 22 minutes, though, they never let go and only got more confident.
By 33 minutes, Aguero had put his first of the game past Courtois, finishing a fine break with an effort from the edge of the box that deflected off Gary Cahill. The Argentine claimed a second on 54 minutes and this was so much cleaner, as he powered the ball past Courtois.
The Chelsea goalkeeper was then caught out on 80 minutes, as a Fernandinho run to go one-on-one forced Courtois into a foul, and allowed Aguero to grab his hat trick from the penalty spot.
SOURCE: LEADERSHIP
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