Manchester City hit Huddersfield for six: Aguero and Silva the stars

Manchester City’s home debut in this season’s Premier League turned into a ‘fiesta’ for their supporters as they ran out comfortable 6-1 winners at the Etihad Stadium.

A lot of the build up to this match was centred on whether or not City would feel the absence of Kevin De Bruyne in the starting eleven. While this might only be the first of many challenges, it appears that David Silva is more than capable of filling that void in the meantime.

The Spaniard was the standout performer of City’s supporting cast. In his 250th Premier League appearance, after sharing a touching moment with his son Mateo before kick-off, Silva was in inspired form. Without De Bruyne, or even Raheem Sterling, he rose the occasion and even popped up on the scoresheet too.

However the Man of the Match award won’t go to Silva but rather his teammate Sergio Aguero. Perhaps after being underutilised for Argentina at the World Cup, the striker is desperate to show how good he is once again. He was ruthless in front of goal, scoring three and only denied more by the woodwork.

If Huddersfield plan was to frustrate City early on and pounce on counterattack, they were playing with fire. Under pressure, Mounie hacked a clearance onto his own bar before Hamer denied Gabriel Jesus one-on-one.

Even with those early scares, Huddersfield didn’t change tactics. They dragged everyone back behind the ball and this allowed David Silva to run the show, although they didn’t have the goals to show for their utter dominance.

And then the breakthrough came from an unlikely source: Ederson. The City goalkeeper pinged an 80-yard ball to Aguero who managed to work a bit of space and chip it over the caught-in-two-minds Hamer. Now Huddersfield couldn’t sit and City were ready to push home their advantage.

Benjamin Mendy, famous for his social media skills, reminded everyone that he’s not a bad footballer either. He was a constant threat down the left, sometimes staying on the touchline to provide width and later running through the middle offering an outlet, a la Jordi Alba at Barcelona. He found space on the left, was challenged, but the ball rolled kindly to Jesus and he made it 2-0.

Mendy was involved in the third as the goals were flowing now. Huddersfield’s goalkeeper, Hamer, made it even easier for City when he spilled Mendy’s cross and there was Aguero to poke home from close range. The visitors were 3-0 down in a 10-minute spell. That was game over.

Huddersfield did get on the scoresheet – and upset Fantasy Football fans around the world – when a long throw in was headed on and Stankovic bundled home for a couple of yards out. The comeback wasn’t on, but at least a bit of pride was restored.

Three minutes after the break and David Silva scored a freekick another David, who played for the red side of Manchester, would’ve been proud of. He found the top corner and left Hamer rooted to his spot on the other side of the goal.

Silva came off to a standing ovation and not long afterwards Aguero received the same treatment. Another dangerous cross from Mendy was skilfully directed past Hamer to complete his hat-trick.

Sane, his replacement, forced Huddersfield into scoring an own goal after his pace left the defence for dead and the unlucky stopper saved the German’s shot, only for the rebound to go in off a defender. 6-1.

Who needs De Bruyne?

Manchester City: Ederson; Stones, Kompany, Laporte; Bernardo, Gündogan (Foden 81’), Fernandinho, Silva (Mahrez 64’), Mendy; Gabriel Jesus, Agüero (Sané 75’).

Huddersfield: Hamer; Smith, Schindler, Kongolo, Lowe; Hadergjonaj, Billing, Stankovic, Pritchard (Diakhaby 61’); Sabiri (Depoitre 45’), Mounié.

Goals: 1-0 Agüero 25’, 2-0 Gabriel 30’, 3-0 Agüero 35’, 3-1 Stankovic 42’, 4-1 David Silva 47’, 5-1 Agüero 74’, 6-1 Kongolo (OG) 84’.