Caroline Oatway: Sergio Aguero v Burnley
I’ve written about this goal a few times – in the game’s Talking Points feature and in our January review, but it was so good, I’m more than happy to describe it again.
Although the match itself will not go down as one of history’s most memorable, City’s visit of Burnley will remain etched in my mind thanks to the (once again) superhuman powers of Sergio Aguero.
In the right place at the right time (as usual), Kun arrived to capitalise when Tom Heaton denied Raheem Sterling and somehow curled an awe-inspiring effort into the near post to hand the Blues the three points.
The expressions of the TWO defenders on the line – they were as stunned as we were – said it all: they simply could not fathom how Aguero had managed to score.
It isn’t the first time he’s taken our breath away… and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
Jack Mumford: Thierry Ambrose v Arsenal
Watching City’s youngsters every week, you tend to end up drowning in a sea of incredible strikes. That’s why, when pushed, I decided to go for a goal that was more striking in the style of football it represented than the individual talent required to make it happen.
Having already taken the lead at the Emirates, City’s Premier League 2 side were controlling possession and looking to build from the back before springing on their opponents.
As defender Ed Francis picked up the ball deep in his own half, his midfielders moved towards him while Ambrose drove in behind the defence. The young English defender picked out Ambrose perfectly and the French striker took it down and slotted under the advancing goalkeeper with ease.
Much of the talk around City’s philosophy is that it is a slow possession game but this goal was crucial in demonstrating the wide range of threats City, and their way of playing, can pose.
David Clayton - Gael Clichy v Burnley
There have been a few good goals so far this year, but none that you’d put up for Goal of the Season – yet!
You can’t beat a 30-yard screamer into the top corner, a mazy run and finish or a stunning volley., can you? I’m sure we’ll get a few in the remaining weeks of the season.
So, my stand-out goal votes goes to Gael Clichy versus Burnley. Gael’s goals are something of a collector’s item – he’d never previously scored at the Etihad after having a goal chalked off against Bolton a few years back and credited as an own goal.
He scored against Southampton two years ago and bagged another against Swansea in the EFL Cup earlier this season.
For this goal, he cut inside one challenge and then placed a low shot with his right foot that was inch-perfect to finally break his home duck.
Great finish and a really good guy, too.
Rob Pollard: Leroy Sane v Sunderland
Leroy Sane’s impact in recent months has been clear. Since his goal against Arsenal in December, there’s been a dramatic increase in his performance level and City look a far better side with him hugging the touchline.
His goal against Sunderland was excellent and further underlines his status as a key first-team player. David Silva waited until just the right moment to slip him in after he had ran from halfway – and the German immediately burst past Billy Jones with a fine turn of pace before finishing expertly past Jordan Pickford.
He has seven in his last 14 games. What a debut season in English football this is turning into.
