Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero admits points mean prizes as he puts team performance ahead of personal goal tally

The Argentinian claims that his goals are only important if it means City collect all three points from each game

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero claims his goals are only important if it results in victory (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero insists his goals are only as good as the points they help collect for the club.

The Argentina striker has been in lethal form this season, going joint top of the Barclays Premier League scoring charts on eight with Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge and adding five more in four Champions League outings.

Struggling Sunderland are next in his sights - and with 22 goals conceded in the 10 games this term, the Black Cats look ripe for the taking - but Aguero places team results over personal milestones.

He told City TV: "Yes I am very happy (with my tally) not only for the goals, but for the victories.

"I think most of my goals have helped to win the three points and that's the most important thing for me."

Aguero's latest strike partner Alvaro Negredo, a summer signing from Sevilla, has also had his shooting boots on of late.

He has scored nine goals for City to date, striking five times in his last three outings, all in different competitions.

Negredo went one better than Aguero by netting a hat-trick in the 5-2 Champions League success over CSKA Moscow in midweek and the Argentinian is happy with the combination.

"It's really good, yes," he said.

"Alvaro has arrived this year and played really well and so has the partnership between us. We have to continue on because it is an important part to help the club forward."

Aguero's compatriot Martin Demichelis has praised manager Manuel Pellegrini for asserting his own style on the City squad.

Demichelis knows the Chilean boss better than most from their shared time at Malaga and he believes the demolition of CSKA shows the message is getting through at the Etihad.

"We knew how important the game was and tried to show right from the start that we wanted it over and done with as soon as possible. The most important thing was to reach the knockout rounds," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"To get to the round of 16 was our first objective and we have achieved it.

"(Pellegrini) has a way of making sure his teams play in the way he wants, that we play effective football and that we can challenge for important things. We are in a good place now and we will have to see what happens afterwards."

PA