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As it happenedended

Manchester City vs Arsenal: Sergio Aguero at his best as Pep Guardiola's side put pressure on Liverpool

Re-live the match at the Etihad

Michael Jones
Sunday 03 February 2019 11:59 GMT
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Sergio Aguero scored his 14th Manchester City hat-trick as the champions beat Arsenal 3-1 to cut Liverpool's Premier League lead to two points.

Aguero, who opened the scoring after just 46 seconds, netted all three from close range as City bounced back from their midweek defeat Newcastle with a convincing display at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal did pose some awkward questions after finding a quick equaliser through Laurent Koscielny, but two more from Aguero either side of the break put the result beyond doubt.

There was an element of controversy over Aguero's third after the ball struck his arm as he bundled it in, but it was not deemed deliberate.

City eased through the final stages to put the onus on Liverpool to respond at West Ham on Monday. Re-live the action in the live blog below:

21 mins: Man City 1 - 1 Arsenal

Arsenal get the ball out of their own half but only for about 20 seconds and City come at them again. Aubameyang and Lacazette are both waiting in Arsenal's half for the ball, that's how deep they're defending. 

Michael Jones3 February 2019 16:52

24 mins: Man City 1 - 1 Arsenal

Bernardo Silva nips in the right hand channel and squares the ball winning a corner. Gundogan puts it in, Ferandinho goes down in the box but Arsenal win the free kick. 

Michael Jones3 February 2019 16:54

27 mins: Man City 1 - 1 Arsenal

Man City have put loads of balls into the box but no-one has got on the end of them yet. Arsenal get the furthest forward they've been since the goal but give away a goal kick. City storm forward and De Bruyne shoots from range sending it over the bar. 

Michael Jones3 February 2019 16:58

30 mins: Man City 1 - 1 Arsenal

Gundogan tries to slip a through ball into the box but Guendouzi makes the interception and Arsenal come forward quickly. Man City were caught a little there but they recover to force Arsenal to play the ball back to their own defence. 

Michael Jones3 February 2019 17:01

33 mins: Man City 1 - 1 Arsenal

Fernandinho is brought down and wins a free kick for City, they play it quickly and send the ball down the left wing, Laporte whips it into the box and Leno comes out to claim it safely. 

Michael Jones3 February 2019 17:03

36 mins: Man City 1 - 1 Arsenal 

Man City get put in trouble as Iwobi wins the and gives it to Lacazette. Lacazette feeds a long through ball to Aubameyang that splits the centre backs but Ederson reads it well and bombs out of his area to clear it before it reaches Arsenal's striker. 

Michael Jones3 February 2019 17:06

39 mins: Man City 1 - 1 Arsenal

Guendouzi manages to get the ball to Kolasinac, who turns and shoots making Ederson palm it away. Arsenal are fighting their way back into this game and are starting to cause City some problems. 

Michael Jones3 February 2019 17:09

42 mins: Man City 1 - 1 Arsenal

Torreira puts a late challenge in on De Bruyne and gets a yellow card. Lacazette tries a cross field pass but sends it out of play. Man City are slow on the ball and Lacazette wins it back, gives it to Aubameyang and the forward wins a corner for Arsenal. 

Michael Jones3 February 2019 17:12

44 mins: Man City 2 - 1 Arsenal - Aguero

Fernandinho puts the ball out wide to Sterling who sends it back inside to Gundogan. Gundogan returns the ball to Sterling who makes a run into the box before sending it across goal to Aguero for a tap in. Quality stuff from Manchester City. 

Michael Jones3 February 2019 17:13

45+2 mins: Man City 2 - 1 Arsenal

A great half of football that one. City score one minute into the match, Arsenal equalise with their first attack. 

The visitors defend a flurry of attacks from the champions before starting to take the upper hand towards the end of the half.

Man City then produce a touch of class to head into the break one goal up. Incredible scenes. 

Michael Jones3 February 2019 17:17

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