Aguero Hat-trick Relegates QPR, As Liverpool, Chelsea Share Spoils

8 years ago

Aguero Hat-trick Relegates QPR, As Liverpool, Chelsea Share Spoils

Queen’s Park Rangers have been relegated from the Premier League after Sergio Aguero’s hat-trick consigned them to a 6-0 defeat at Manchester City.

The R’s needed a win to stand a chance of staying up, but were behind after just four minutes as Aguero finished from eight yards.

Aleksandar Kolarov’s trademark free-kick put City two up after 32 minutes, before Aguero added a second from 15 yards and completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after the break.

James Milner hit the fifth from close range and David Silva rounded off the win three minutes from time to confirm City’s top-four finish, as QPR taste relegation for the second time in three seasons.

Chris Ramsey’s side started the game on the back-foot, and were nearly behind through City’s first attack, Aguero seeing his effort from close-range blocked by Richard Dunne.

Aguero got his first a minute later, gliding past Clint Hill and getting a lucky bounce from Matt Phillips’ interception to dink the ball over Rob Green.

Chris Ramsey believes he’s the right man to get QPR back up again.

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Milner misjudged an Aguero cross at the back-post with the goal gaping as City dominated the first half-hour, and they were rewarded with a second on 32 minutes.

Meanwhile, at the Stamford Bridge, Liverpool stood up to champions Chelsea, earning themselves a 1-1 draw which did not do much for their top-four hopes.

After a defensive lapse which let John Terry rise higher than Liverpool defenders to meet Cesc Fabregas’ free-kick, the visitors enjoyed more of the possession in the second half and Philippe Coutinho went close as he fired wide, but Liverpool couldn’t find the winner they needed to close the gap on Manchester United in fourth.

However, Liverpool had something to play for and enjoyed some spells of possession, with Philippe Coutinho going close with a couple of efforts, his first deflecting wide off Filipe Luis from 20 yards before he cut inside Kurt Zouma and saw a low shot saved by Thibaut Courtois.

In the 44th minute, Branislav Ivanovic felled Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson whipped in the resulting free-kick straight to Gerard who rose highest to nod his side’s equaliser at the nick of time.

The result means Jose Mourinho continues his unbeaten record against Liverpool, and leaves Brendan Rodgers’ men six points off fourth place with two games left, effectively ending their Champions League hopes owing to their inferior goal difference compared to United.

Mourinho Greater Than Guardiola – Maradona
Diego Maradona says Jose Mourinho is the “greatest” and Pep Guardiola is not yet at the level of the Chelsea manager.

In an exclusive interview with Revista de La Liga’s Guillem Balague, which is now available On Demand to Sky Sports subscribers, the Argentina football legend explained his fondness for Mourinho, who has steered Chelsea to the Premier League title this season.

Guardiola has won two league titles with Bayern Munich in Germany, having won three Spanish titles and two Champions Leagues with Barcelona, but Maradona insists Mourinho’s record is better.

“Mourinho is a friend of mine,” Maradona said.
“For me, Mourinho is the greatest without a shadow of a doubt because he knows what you’re going to say before you say it.

“It’s extremely dangerous! That’s what makes him Mourinho. That’s what makes him the greatest.

“Pep or Mourinho? I say Mourinho. I think Pep needs a little more time, as Mourinho has had, to be Mourinho.”

Maradona, however, was unwilling to say whether Barcelona’s Lionel Messi or Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo was the best player in the world.