bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Associated Press

Anything related to Diego Maradona at Napoli’s San Paolo stadium is cause for celebration.
So when Sergio Aguero – Maradona’s former son-in-law – became Manchester City’s all-time top scorer with a goal in a 4-2 victory over Napoli on Wednesday, it seemed like there was a bit of destiny in the air.
“This moment is unique,” Aguero said. “The shirt is for my son. He texted me and I will bring it to him.”
While Aguero and Gianinna Maradona separated in 2012, their son, Benjamin, is the oldest grandson of Diego Maradona, who led Napoli to the 1987 and 1990 Serie A titles.
Diego Maradona won’t be pleased with this result, though, which secured City a spot in the knockout phase of the Champions League.
City’s superior physicality and height advantage proved the difference after Pep Guardiola’s side was able to weather intense pressing by Napoli in the opening half-hour.
“For 20 minutes they massacred us,” Guardiola said, “We were destroyed, especially on the left flank with (Faouzi) Ghoulam, who together with (Lorenzo) Insigne gave us a lot of problems.
“At this level we cannot control for 90 minutes,” Guardiola added. “The question is how do we react to that situation and we did it well twice.”
City lead group F with a maximum 12 points from four games. Shakhtar Donetsk are next with nine following a 3-1 win over Feyenoord. Serie A leaders Napoli have three points and will struggle to get through, while Feyenoord remain on zero and were eliminated from contention.
Aguero finished off a swift counter-attack in the 69th minute to move onto 178 goals for City – one clear of Eric Brook, who scored 177 goals in 453 appearances from 1928-1940.
Aguero has scored his tally of goals in 264 games for City since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
“When one guy has achieved what he has achieved just (say) a big ‘Congratulations,’” Guardiola said. “He’s a legend.”
The goal showed that Aguero is back in form after breaking a rib in a car crash in September during a day off in the Netherlands.
“This moment has been a long time coming,” Aguero said.
Insigne had put Napoli ahead midway through the first half following a nice exchange with Dries Mertens, whose back-heel pass set up Insigne with only the goalkeeper to beat.
It was the first time in 13 matches in all competitions that City conceded the opening goal of a game – since facing Bournemouth in August.
An injury to Napoli left-back Ghoulam proved costly, though, and City quickly equalised in the 34th minute with a header from Nicolas Otamendi.
Dele Alli hails ‘fantastic’ win as Zidane denies ‘crisis’ after Tottenham rout Real Madrid in Champions League
“The injury to Ghoulam hurt us a lot because it came in a moment of the match when we were dominating,” Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri said.
Centre-back John Stones put City ahead with another header early in the second half.
With the “ultra” supporters at the San Paolo stadium beating drums and chanting encouragement, Napoli responded with a solid run of pressure and Leroy Sane fouled Raul Albiol to set up a penalty for Jorginho that made it 2-2.
After Aguero’s goal, Raheem Sterling added another for City in stoppage time.
Jose Mourinho defends lack of Romelu Lukaku charity after Champions League win over Benfica
It marked the first time under Sarri that Napoli conceded four goals.
“Unfortunately by attempting to win we got a little carried away and it cost us,” Sarri said. “But I liked the squad’s approach. I prefer trying to win even if that means having to take risks. We were facing one of the best teams in Europe and we were aware of the difficulties.”
In another entertaining match, like the meeting in England two weeks ago which City won 2-1, both sides also hit the woodwork.
Stones headed off the crossbar in the first half with Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina beaten and Insigne hit the bar with a long-range effort five minutes before Napoli earned a penalty.
“I love this team,” Guardiola said. “Football needs squads like Napoli.”


Uefa Champions League: little Bodo Glimt take next step on giant-killing journey

Mjallby, a team from tiny fishing village, win Swedish league title on shoestring budget

Asian Champions League: ex-English Premier League players set to star as new season starts

Holders PSG and rivals await Champions League draw

Uefa Champions League

‘He’s a legend’: Guardiola hails Sergio Aguero as Man City man grabs record in Maradona’s stadium

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring the record third goal in the win over Napoli. Photo: Reuters

Napoli's midfielder from Spain Jose Maria Callejon (C), Manchester City's German midfielder Leroy Sane and Manchester City's German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (R) eye the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match Napoli vs Manchester City on November 1, 2017 at the San Paolo stadium in Naples. Manchester City won 2-4. / AFP PHOTO / Filippo MONTEFORTE

Soccer Football - Champions League - S.S.C. Napoli vs Manchester City - Stadio San Paolo, Naples, Italy - November 1, 2017 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Manchester City's Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson makes a save during the UEFA Champions League football match Napoli vs Manchester City on November 1, 2017 at the San Paolo stadium in Naples. Manchester City won 2-4. Sergio Aguero broke the Manchester City goal-scoring record on Wednesday when he took his career total to 178 during the Champions League clash at Napoli. / AFP PHOTO / Filippo MONTEFORTE

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (R) greets Napoli's coach from Italy Maurizio Sarri before the UEFA Champions League football match Napoli vs Manchester City on November 1, 2017 at the San Paolo stadium in Naples. Manchester City won 2-4. Sergio Aguero broke the Manchester City goal-scoring record on Wednesday when he took his career total to 178 during the Champions League clash at Napoli. / AFP PHOTO / Filippo MONTEFORTE

Manchester City's English defender John Stones celebrates with teammates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League football match Napoli vs Manchester City on November 1, 2017 at the San Paolo stadium in Naples. Manchester City won 2-4. / AFP PHOTO / Filippo MONTEFORTE

Sport

Football

Aguero becomes City’s all-time top scorer with a goal in a 4-2 victory over Napoli


‘He’s a legend’: Guardiola hails Sergio Aguero as Man City man grabs record in Maradona’s stadium

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Aguero becomes City’s all-time top scorer with a goal in a 4-2 victory over Napoli

Aguero becomes City’s all-time top scorer with a goal in a 4-2 victory over Napoli