Aguero hits hat-trick as impressive City see off Monchengladbach

SERGIO Aguero hit another hat-trick as Pep Guardiola's superb start at Manchester City continued with an emphatic victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in their Champions League Group C opener.

Aguero followed up his treble against Steaua Bucharest in the play-off round with three more goals as City swept aside the Germans 4-0 in their delayed clash at the Etihad Stadium.

City have now won seven in succession since Guardiola took charge in the summer while Aguero - who will miss the next two matches as he completes a domestic suspension - has scored nine in just five appearances.

Kelechi Iheanacho grabbed the other goal late on as City established themselves as the side most likely to challenge competition favourites Barcelona for top spot in the group.

Guardiola said: "Sergio is one of the best, no doubt about that. He has a special quality in the box. He's a special player.

"I never won before against this coach and he always creates a lot of problems for my team but we created a really good performance."

LUKEWARM

Guardiola, who won the Champions League twice as Barcelona boss and describes the competition as "beautiful" now wants fans to get fully behind the challenge.

City, who reached the semi-finals last season, are playing in the group stage for a sixth successive season but fans' enthusiasm has remained lukewarm.

Wednesday's recorded 30,270 attendance could partly be put down to the rearrangement of the fixture at short notice after Tuesday's postponement, but was even so well below the 55,000 capacity.

As has become custom, City fans also booed the Champions League anthem before kick-off in continuing protest at organiser UEFA, with whom they have various issues.

Guardiola feels it is now time to move on.

The Spaniard said: "I was not here for what happened but they must forget what happened in the past."