Argentina's Sergio Aguero has a knack for scoring when its least expected and he did just that as he tormented Newcastle again as Premier League leader Manchester City recovered from last week's defeat by Liverpool to beat Rafael Benitez's struggling team 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The Argentina striker, who scored five in a game against Newcastle in 2015, helped himself to a hat-trick this time as City maintained its 12-point lead over second-placed Manchester United.
City showed no sign of a lack of confidence following the 4-3 loss at Liverpool last Sunday and Aguero got the slightest of touches to a cross from Kevin De Bruyne to give the hosts a 34th-minute lead.
The home team totally outplayed Newcastle, enjoying 81 percent of possession, and it came as no surprise when Aguero added a second goal from the penalty spot early in the second half after Raheem Sterling was fouled by Javier Manquillo.
Jacob Murphy pulled one back for Newcastle after a mistake by Nicolas Otamendi but Aguero had the final say in the 83rd minute with a fine turn and shot capping a brilliant weaving run from Leroy Sane.
It was Aguero's 11th hat-trick for the club and his second of the season."We need 10 more wins to be champions," said City manager Pep Guardiola. "It's not how many goals you score, it's how many chances you create, how many chances your keeper has to save.
"We reacted really well after dropping points. It was an outstanding performance, often against 11 men behind the ball. We were patient and we found space really well, they crossed the halfway line just once and scored."
