• PALALCE RATINGS: Vincente Guaita - 6: Spanish goalkeeper would have been expecting a busy afternoon from the first whistle but City didn’t have shot on target in first half. A different story after the break. Was helpless as City stepped up gear and fizzed shots in on his goal. Had no chance. PA
    PALALCE RATINGS: Vincente Guaita - 6: Spanish goalkeeper would have been expecting a busy afternoon from the first whistle but City didn’t have shot on target in first half. A different story after the break. Was helpless as City stepped up gear and fizzed shots in on his goal. Had no chance. PA
  • Joel Ward - 7: Impressive show from right-back, particularly in first half. Some excellent challenges to help keep Sterling quiet and then his run and cross into penalty area resulted in chance for Benteke to open scoring. Vital header denied Rodri free header on goal after 62 minutes. Palace’s best player. AFP
    Joel Ward - 7: Impressive show from right-back, particularly in first half. Some excellent challenges to help keep Sterling quiet and then his run and cross into penalty area resulted in chance for Benteke to open scoring. Vital header denied Rodri free header on goal after 62 minutes. Palace’s best player. AFP
  • Cheikhou Kouyate - 6: Helped keep City’s chances in first half down to bare minimum but should have done better closing down Torres for City’s second goal. Vital foot in to take ball off Aguero’s toes with 20 minutes to go. Booked for foul on Sterling with 10 minutes to go. EPA
    Cheikhou Kouyate - 6: Helped keep City’s chances in first half down to bare minimum but should have done better closing down Torres for City’s second goal. Vital foot in to take ball off Aguero’s toes with 20 minutes to go. Booked for foul on Sterling with 10 minutes to go. EPA
  • Scott Dann - 6: Vital header over his own bar in six-yard box just after half-time to deny City certain goal. Like rest of Palace's team, spent second half chasing shadows. Getty
    Scott Dann - 6: Vital header over his own bar in six-yard box just after half-time to deny City certain goal. Like rest of Palace's team, spent second half chasing shadows. Getty
  • Tyrick Mitchell - 7: Important block to deny Sterling after City attacker left two Palace defenders on the ground in first half. Important headed interception to stop City shooting opportunity as visitors took control of second half. AP
    Tyrick Mitchell - 7: Important block to deny Sterling after City attacker left two Palace defenders on the ground in first half. Important headed interception to stop City shooting opportunity as visitors took control of second half. AP
  • Luka Milivojevic - 5: Produced one Hollywood pass on half-volley to put Zaha away on attack down left in first half. Booked early in second for trademark blatant foul on Torres. Weak shot straight at Ederson as Palace chased game late one. AP
    Luka Milivojevic - 5: Produced one Hollywood pass on half-volley to put Zaha away on attack down left in first half. Booked early in second for trademark blatant foul on Torres. Weak shot straight at Ederson as Palace chased game late one. AP
  • Jairo Riedewald - 4: Dutch midfielder barely touched ball in opening 45 minutes as City dominated possession. Little improvement after break and was given midfield lesson by Fernandinho. AFP
    Jairo Riedewald - 4: Dutch midfielder barely touched ball in opening 45 minutes as City dominated possession. Little improvement after break and was given midfield lesson by Fernandinho. AFP
  • Eberechi Eze - 6: Nice bit of skill to find himself room on edge of box five minutes before half-time but pulled shot wide. Whipped ball off toes of Sterling as City man closed in on goal moments later. Reuters
    Eberechi Eze - 6: Nice bit of skill to find himself room on edge of box five minutes before half-time but pulled shot wide. Whipped ball off toes of Sterling as City man closed in on goal moments later. Reuters
  • Andros Townsend - 5: Mixed bag from winger in first half. Great ball into middle to pick out Benteke but teammate wasted early opportunity but was also left apologising to teammates after one sloppy cross. Disappeared as attacking threat after break. AP
    Andros Townsend - 5: Mixed bag from winger in first half. Great ball into middle to pick out Benteke but teammate wasted early opportunity but was also left apologising to teammates after one sloppy cross. Disappeared as attacking threat after break. AP
  • Wilfried Zaha - 4: Really disappointing afternoon for Palace’s key attacking dangerman. Struggled to make any impact, first touch was poor, never looked like scoring and looked generally out of sorts. PA
    Wilfried Zaha - 4: Really disappointing afternoon for Palace’s key attacking dangerman. Struggled to make any impact, first touch was poor, never looked like scoring and looked generally out of sorts. PA
  • Christian Benteke - 5: Completely miss-timed a header that he sent tamely wide after 11 minutes following perfect cross from Townsend. Thumped a long-ranger drive straight into Ederson’s arms soon after, then saw his turn and shot blocked by Brazilian later in half. Brilliant block at other end of pitch to deny Laporte a goal for City, though. PA
    Christian Benteke - 5: Completely miss-timed a header that he sent tamely wide after 11 minutes following perfect cross from Townsend. Thumped a long-ranger drive straight into Ederson’s arms soon after, then saw his turn and shot blocked by Brazilian later in half. Brilliant block at other end of pitch to deny Laporte a goal for City, though. PA
  • SUBS: Jeffrey Schlupp – (On for Riedewald 59’) 6: Hit one weak shot straight at Ederson from edge of area. Jean-Philippe Mateta – (On for Benteke 57’) 6: Came on after City took hold of game and couldn’t help side turn tide. Getty
    SUBS: Jeffrey Schlupp – (On for Riedewald 59’) 6: Hit one weak shot straight at Ederson from edge of area. Jean-Philippe Mateta – (On for Benteke 57’) 6: Came on after City took hold of game and couldn’t help side turn tide. Getty
  • Jordan Ayew – (On for Townsend 83’) N/A. Getty
    Jordan Ayew – (On for Townsend 83’) N/A. Getty
  • MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson - 7: Good point-blank save from Benteke just before half-hour mark. One unbelievable pass out from the deck to set City off on attack just after half-time. Getty
    MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson - 7: Good point-blank save from Benteke just before half-hour mark. One unbelievable pass out from the deck to set City off on attack just after half-time. Getty
  • Joao Cancelo - 5: Didn’t enjoy the best of evenings against Real Madrid on Wednesday and struggled again here at times. Sloppy with distribution, giving the ball away too frequently. Should have made it 3-0 when he curled shot over bar after superb City counter-attack. PA
    Joao Cancelo - 5: Didn’t enjoy the best of evenings against Real Madrid on Wednesday and struggled again here at times. Sloppy with distribution, giving the ball away too frequently. Should have made it 3-0 when he curled shot over bar after superb City counter-attack. PA
  • Aymeric Laporte - 7: Unlikely goalscoring hero in last week’s League Cup final and almost made it 3-0 here but was denied by superb Benteke block. Solid at the heart of City's defence. Getty
    Aymeric Laporte - 7: Unlikely goalscoring hero in last week’s League Cup final and almost made it 3-0 here but was denied by superb Benteke block. Solid at the heart of City's defence. Getty
  • Nathan Ake - 7: Centre-half making only his second appearance of 2021 did OK first half although Benteke’s sloppiness in front of goal made his life easier. Good recovery tackle to stop Zaha pulling a goal back in last 10 minutes. PA
    Nathan Ake - 7: Centre-half making only his second appearance of 2021 did OK first half although Benteke’s sloppiness in front of goal made his life easier. Good recovery tackle to stop Zaha pulling a goal back in last 10 minutes. PA
  • Benjamin Mendy - 7: Lovely turn to beat Townsend followed by perfect cross into middle for Torres in opening 10 minutes. A powerhouse down the City right. AFP
    Benjamin Mendy - 7: Lovely turn to beat Townsend followed by perfect cross into middle for Torres in opening 10 minutes. A powerhouse down the City right. AFP
  • Rodri - 7: Spanish midfielder helped City dominate midfield. Nice range of passing and some lovely cross-field balls straight to teammates’ feet. EPA
    Rodri - 7: Spanish midfielder helped City dominate midfield. Nice range of passing and some lovely cross-field balls straight to teammates’ feet. EPA
  • Fernandinho - 9: Perfectly judged tackle to take the ball cleanly off Zaha as Palace attacker looked to attack 20 minutes in. Pinpoint ball into middle picked out Jesus who finished well but was flagged offside. Another lovely cross-field pass found Torres in penalty area early in second half. Veteran was magnificent until City gave him a rest with 20 minutes still to go. Reuters
    Fernandinho - 9: Perfectly judged tackle to take the ball cleanly off Zaha as Palace attacker looked to attack 20 minutes in. Pinpoint ball into middle picked out Jesus who finished well but was flagged offside. Another lovely cross-field pass found Torres in penalty area early in second half. Veteran was magnificent until City gave him a rest with 20 minutes still to go. Reuters
  • Ferran Torres - 8: Saw first-time volley deflected wide from corner and showed his defensive qualities with excellent sliding challenge that prevented Zaha getting free down left late in first half. Side-foot finish put City 2-0 up two minutes after Aguero opened the scoring. Perfectly weighted back-heel to tee-up Cancelo chance in second half. EPA
    Ferran Torres - 8: Saw first-time volley deflected wide from corner and showed his defensive qualities with excellent sliding challenge that prevented Zaha getting free down left late in first half. Side-foot finish put City 2-0 up two minutes after Aguero opened the scoring. Perfectly weighted back-heel to tee-up Cancelo chance in second half. EPA
  • Raheem Sterling - 7: Must be frustrated after not starting against Real and his mood wouldn’t have improved when he curled an early chance high and wide, then saw poor touch cost him chance to score with Palace defenders scrambling to block. Nearly made it 3-0 when he hit Guaita’s near post after leaving Palace’s defenders in his wake. Curled another shot just wide of post. Ten weeks without a goal now. PA
    Raheem Sterling - 7: Must be frustrated after not starting against Real and his mood wouldn’t have improved when he curled an early chance high and wide, then saw poor touch cost him chance to score with Palace defenders scrambling to block. Nearly made it 3-0 when he hit Guaita’s near post after leaving Palace’s defenders in his wake. Curled another shot just wide of post. Ten weeks without a goal now. PA
  • Gabriel Jesus - 7: Thought he’d put City in front after 36 minutes but fine volley was ruled out for offside. Like Sterling, could have done with a goal. EPA
    Gabriel Jesus - 7: Thought he’d put City in front after 36 minutes but fine volley was ruled out for offside. Like Sterling, could have done with a goal. EPA
  • Sergio Aguero - 8: A rare start for the City’s record goalscorer but didn’t have shot on goal until 38th minute when he fired wide when slightly off balance. Absolutely stunning finish into top corner on the half-volley to score his first ever goal at Selhurst Park after 57 minutes. A master finisher. AFP
    Sergio Aguero - 8: A rare start for the City’s record goalscorer but didn’t have shot on goal until 38th minute when he fired wide when slightly off balance. Absolutely stunning finish into top corner on the half-volley to score his first ever goal at Selhurst Park after 57 minutes. A master finisher. AFP
  • SUBS: Oleksandr Zinchenko - (On for Fernandinho 67’) 7: Brought on with City in complete control. Reuters
    SUBS: Oleksandr Zinchenko - (On for Fernandinho 67’) 7: Brought on with City in complete control. Reuters

Football

Sergio Aguero wants to play part for Manchester City in Champions League battle with Paris Saint-Germain

Striker scored only his second premier League goal of season on Saturday but says he is eager to feature in Tuesday's semi-final second leg

The National

May 02, 2021

  • English
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Sergio Aguero says he is ready to play a part in Manchester City's bid to reach a first Champions League final.

The club record goalscorer netted in Saturday's 2-0 win at Crystal Palace to score for just the second time in the Premier League this season.

Aguero has struggled for fitness and form during the last 12 months and had only been selected once by Pep Guardiola since the international break, but he impressed in London and is eager to feature in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris St Germain on Tuesday.

"I finally played," the 32-year-old said. "Always I am ready, I feel good. My knee is so good. I wait for the opportunity to play, so I hope on Tuesday I can play but if I don't, it doesn't matter.

"I want to be with my teammates and, of course, every player wants to play, so we will see what happens."

A knee injury last summer ruled Aguero out of the final months of the disrupted 2019-20 campaign and even since he returned in October the Argentina international has been hit by regular fitness issues.

City announced in March the forward would bring his decade at the club to an end when his contract expires at the conclusion of this season and he will be honoured for his achievements with a statue at the Etihad Stadium.

But Aguero admitted: "When the club told me, I told them 'I don't want anything' and honestly, I prefer to wait until the end. I always said it's not for me to decide, the club decides.

"The only way is to play until the end and if the club want to do something for me, OK, thank you."

Aguero netted his 182nd Premier League goal in the win at Crystal Palace and was praised by his manager, who hinted the club great may be required against PSG following his unused substitute role in Paris last Wednesday.

Gallery: Palace 0 City 2

  • Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, centre, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's first goal against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, May 1. AP
    Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, centre, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's first goal against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, May 1. AP
  • Sergio Aguero fires home City's opener. AFP
    Sergio Aguero fires home City's opener. AFP
  • Sergio Aguero celebrates after scoring against Crystal Palace. EPA
    Sergio Aguero celebrates after scoring against Crystal Palace. EPA
  • City striker Sergio Aguero scores his team's opening goal. AFP
    City striker Sergio Aguero scores his team's opening goal. AFP
  • Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson. Reuters
    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson. Reuters
  • Manchester City's Ferran Torres celebrates after scoring his team's second goal at Selhurst Park. AP
    Manchester City's Ferran Torres celebrates after scoring his team's second goal at Selhurst Park. AP
  • Crystal Palace's striker Jordan Ayew, left, with Crystal Palace's Jairo Riedewald. AFP
    Crystal Palace's striker Jordan Ayew, left, with Crystal Palace's Jairo Riedewald. AFP
  • Manchester City's midfielder Ferran Torres celebrates scoring his team's second goal at Selhurst Park. AFP
    Manchester City's midfielder Ferran Torres celebrates scoring his team's second goal at Selhurst Park. AFP
  • City attacker Raheem Sterling surrounded by Crystal Palace's Cheikhou Kouyate, Scott Dann, Eberechi Eze, Luka Milivojevic and Joel Ward. Reuters
    City attacker Raheem Sterling surrounded by Crystal Palace's Cheikhou Kouyate, Scott Dann, Eberechi Eze, Luka Milivojevic and Joel Ward. Reuters
  • City striker Gabriel Jesus under pressure from Palace's Jordan Ayew. Reuters
    City striker Gabriel Jesus under pressure from Palace's Jordan Ayew. Reuters

"He has shown again what he has done all his career," Guardiola said.

"What a goal, what a player, what a man. Incredible and delighted he is back. He was many, many times injured and the last weeks he trained really well. He is another weapon we have if we need next Tuesday for our final."

Palace had caused City problems during a tight first half, but they suffered a third straight defeat with Ferran Torres able to score two minutes after Aguero's 57th-minute opener.

A positive for the home side was the display of young defender Tyrick Mitchell, who recently signed a new four-year contract with his boyhood club and caught the eye in his first appearance since February 22.

"We just literally want to get as high as possible, win as many matches as we can and put in good performances," the left-back replied when asked about Palace's aims for the remainder of the season.

"There are a lot of positives, a few negatives but that is like any season. You have ups and downs but I think this season has been a positive."

Champions LeagueManchester CityParis Saint-Germain