Sergio Aguero: His greatest Manchester City goals

As Sergio Aguero’s time at Manchester City is coming to an end, it seems only fitting to reminisce over some of his greatest goals since arriving in England.

Man City’s record all-time top goalscorer has scored a staggering 257 goals for the club, so to decide on just 15 was almost as hard as it was for him to score them.

The Argentine’s catalogue of goals is nothing but sensational, but this list isn’t just filled with ‘worldies’, it is a mix of his signature near post finishes, performance toppers, season defining moments and also some that don’t get as much recognition as they deserve.

Nevertheless, lets get on with the show.

#14 – The headed winner vs Watford (15/16)

This may be a goal City fan wouldn’t expect to see on this list, but that doesn’t make the goal any less brilliant.

City visited Watford the day after New Years Day in 2016 and were given a real tough start to the year. Manuel Pellegrini’s men were trailing for the majority of the second half until two goals in two minutes from Yaya Toure and Aguero gave the visitors all three points.

Now Aguero is a relatively small striker, standing at just 5″8, so you wouldn’t expect him to win many aerial battles against two 6″1 centre halves.

The goal came from a slightly overhit cross by Bacary Sagna, but Aguero leaped the highest and directed the ball, which was behind him, back across goal and into the far right corner of Watford’s goal.

It’s not as important as some others, nor is it as flashy, but the technique to score the goal he did was something special.

#14 – His hat-trick goal against Bayern Munich (14/15)

Once again, this goal isn’t anywhere close to some of his finest finishes but Aguero’s cool and composed head to finish off a fine individual display on the biggest stage of all is what makes this goal so impressive.

City had only managed two points from their opening four Champions League group stage games that season, which meant that defeat to Bayern Munich would have left them unlikely to progress from the group stage.

Despite opening the scoring with a penalty, his side were trailing right up until the 85th minute where he scored his second and third goal inside the final five minutes.

It was a crucial moment in City’s season which gave them hope in what seemed like an already dull season as they trailed eight points behind table toppers Chelsea at the time.

Aguero collected the ball from a mistake by the Bayern Munich defence and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the net, past an onlooking Manuel Neuer.

Pep Guardiola received a good glimpse of what he would be managing in the near future.

#13 – His wonderful opening goal vs Chelsea (18/19)

There are numerous goals that City’s #10 has scored against Chelsea which could have made this list but this one is arguably one of his finest.

After years of tormenting the London side, Chelsea fans didn’t hesitate to mock the then 30-year-old after he missed an absolute sitter minutes before.

The Argentine silenced the Chelsea fans with one of his best ever goals in a City shirt. He collected the ball after a few fortunate ricochets and set himself up for a 25 yard screamer. He didn’t even look up to see where the goal was once and fired it into the top right corner of Kepa’s goal.

Then again, after 200+ goals he already has a good idea of where the Etihad goal is.

Oh, and need you be reminded that this was the first goal of what became his second hat-trick against a ‘big six’ club that week.

#12 – Opening goal in the Carabao Cup final (17/18)

This incredibly well taken goal sparked a comfortable 3-0 win, with the other two goals coming from other City icons, in the shape of Vincent Kompany and David Silva.

City’s best big game player stepped up once again, this time at Wembley and his goal not only sparked the lift of the Carabao Cup, it was the start of a new dominant era filled with success.

That Carabao Cup was the first of an impressive eight domestic trophies out of a possible nine in a row, stretching to 2020 when they lifted the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa, another final he also scored in.

Aguero used his strength to block Shkodran Mustafi from getting to the long ball first and then took one touch to control it with his chest before lobbing the goalkeeper from outside the box.

#11 – The Argentine showdown vs Norwich City (11/12)

After a dramatic season of twists and turns for Carlos Tevez, Aguero’s compatriot finally returned to the City starting XI and did so in magnificent fashion, while also throwing in a cheeky golf swing celebration for that bit of extra entertainment.

Tevez’s hat-trick distracted away from how ludicrous Aguero’s two goals were in that game, the first of which being the pick of the two.

Tevez’s backheel to his international teammate took a slight deflection on the way, lifting the ball up ever so slightly which meant it fell perfectly for Aguero to smash the ball on the half volley into the top left corner of the net from just outside the box.

#10 – An incredible solo goal vs Watford (17/18)

Yet again, another Aguero hat-trick makes the list.

This time it was rounded off by a superb solo run which saw the Argentine take on four Watford defenders before rolling it past the keeper and seeing the ball just go over the line, with a bit of help from the post.

This came just a few months after there was a lot of speculation about whether Aguero was the right striker for a Guardiola side.

#9 – A spectacular fourth vs Leicester City (17/18)

This time Sergio bettered his trebles and went one further with an outrageous finish to secure his fourth goal against Leicester City.

At this point in the 17/18 season City were the runaway league leaders and Aguero showed exactly why his side were the league’s great entertainers.

Phil Foden was the man to set up his boyhood hero as he watched the Argentine in awe once more. Aguero collected the ball from just outside the box and rifled one straight down the middle of Kasper Schmeichel’s goal.

The Danish goalkeeper barely had anytime to react before the ball was in the back of the net after it rattled the crossbar.

#8 – Weak foot rocket vs Chelsea (13/14)

As previously stated, there are numerous goals against Chelsea that could have made this list, but this goal, just has that extra special edge to it. Whether it’s the fact it’s on his weak foot, it’s under the lights at night, it’s the kit or it’s away at Stamford Bridge, this goal is one for the history books.

Aguero was played through on goal by Samir Nasri and with Petr Cech in net, on his weaker foot and from the position of the box he was in, no one expected Aguero to let fly, but let fly he most definitely did. The power that City’s then #16 got into his effort shocked everyone, including the Chelsea keeper who could do nothing but watch it fire past him.

#7 – The equaliser vs Brighton (18/19)

This might be one of Aguero’s most overlooked goals he’s ever scored, it is nothing fancy or flash compared to his others, but it is nothing short of important. Guardiola’s City needed to beat Brighton and Hove Albion on the final day of the 18/19 season to retain their Premier League title.

However, things didn’t go to plan straight away as Glenn Murrary put the hosts 1-0 up.

Just 88 seconds after conceding, Silva had the audacity to attempt a backheel flick to play the ball into Aguero’s path who then nutmegged Mathew Ryan with his weaker foot and get his side back on level terms.

Who else would you want to the ball to fall to for the chance to score a crucial goal on the final day of the season to decide the title, ey?

#6 – A modern day version of the Manchester derby near post finish (18/19)

Aguero scored a goal to remember on Remembrance Day. The Argentine recreated his fantastic strike in the 12/13 season at Old Trafford.

This time it was at the Etihad Stadium where 50,000 City fans were able to witness it live. City’s all-time Premier League Manchester derby top scorer played a one-two with Riyad Mahrez who set him up perfectly to smash it home to put his side 2-0 up.

This photo resembles so many uncanny features to his goal in 2013, which you will see further down this list.

Despite being such good friends, after playing at Atletico Madrid together, it’s quite clear that David De Gea must hate facing his former teammate.

#5 – His fifth vs Newcastle United (15/16)

As like so many others, this goal may not be his greatest in a City shirt but it certainly rounded off one of his greatest performances.

Newcastle actually took the lead in this game, but an eight minute hat-trick, that crossed over into both halves took the game away from the visitors.

However, if that wasn’t already impressive enough, Aguero went onto score another two goals within the next 12 minutes.

Five goals, in 20 minutes. Is there any more to be said?

The goal itself was just a tap-in at the far post from an inch perfect pass by Kevin De Bruyne, who also scored a magnificent goal in between the Aguero show.

Another iconic result out of that game was this photo, which went onto be used for years afterwards and will continue to be used for many years to come.

#4 – The original near post finish vs Manchester United (12/13)

Now do you see the freakish similarities? It’s almost scary just how alike the two photos are. These two photos epitomise Aguero’s City career. Five and a half years apart and still at the top of his game, causing havoc for De Gea and whichever United centre back was unfortunate to come up against him throughout that time.

This was City’s first time travelling to Old Trafford since Aguero snatched the title away from on the final day, the season before. United fans must have already been sick of the sight of him.

The City striker breezed past Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones, deceiving both of them with fake shots before setting himself up for a thunder strike into the back of De Gea’s net, which saw City retain their bragging rights over their neighbours once more.

#3 – 178th goal (17/18)

The record breaker. 178. A random number that will be remembered by all City fans. Leroy Sane went on a solo run and when he got tackled the ball kindly fell to Aguero who only had one thing on his mind.

The history maker had De Bruyne just behind him and Raheem Sterling, who was begging for the ball, next to him, but he was only ever going to go alone on this occasion.

If that goal making him City’s all time leading scorer wasn’t important enough, it put his team 3-2 up away to Napoli in a crucial Champions League group stage match.

#2 – *That* goal against Liverpool (18/19)

Aguero has always been City’s man for the big occasion and he didn’t disappoint. Perhaps one of the highest quality games the Premier League has ever seen was met with a goal of an equalling standard.

Aguero went down in the box appealing for a penalty, but as the claims were waived he climbed back to his feet and got in front of his man, Dejan Lovren, controlled the ball and with his second touch, absolutely smashed it into the roof of Alisson’s net.

The goal was welcomed with enormous celebrations from the home fans, a roar that could be heard all across Manchester.

It may not have been the winner but it is certainly the most remembered. That goal helped City on their way to a massive 2-1 victory over the clear league leaders. That result sparked a new found belief all around the club, that City had what it took to beat Liverpool to the league title, despite still being four points behind after the game.

#1 – 93:20

Does this goal even need an explanation or introduction? No, but it is obviously going to get one.

The blue side of Manchester hadn’t won the league title in 44 years and all they had to do was beat relegation threatened Queens Park Rangers and the drought would be over.

As everyone knows, City didn’t do it the easy way and up stepped the Argentine who produced the most iconic moment in Premier League history.

There were so many what ifs about that game but the only question that needed answering was whether Aguero had the composure to win his new club the title in injury time. The answer, well, you already know.

Who would have thought that after that moment Aguero’s City career would only get better and better. It comes to the end of an era for Manchester City and Sergio Aguero, but after ten years in the Premier League he will be leaving as one of the all-time greats.

With City on course for their fifth Premier League title this season, Aguero will be bowing out having started that success and will be the last man standing from the original 2011/12 side. Toure has three Premier League titles, Silva and Kompany have four, while Aguero will be hoping to rise above them all and leave with five.