Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates after completing his hat-trick against Newcastle during his side's 3-1 win at Etihad Stadium, Manchester this morning (NZT). Photo / AP.
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates after completing his hat-trick against Newcastle during his side's 3-1 win at Etihad Stadium, Manchester this morning (NZT). Photo / AP.
Sergio Aguero hit a hat-trick as Premier League leaders Manchester City got back to winning ways with a 3-1 over Newcastle to restore their 12-point lead at the top.
The Argentinian, who scored five in a game against the Magpies in 2015, netted his 11th treble for City as Pep Guardila's side bounced back from last week's first league loss of the season at Liverpool.
Jacob Murphy briefly gave Newcastle hope of snatching a draw by reducing the arrears to 2-1 after 67 minutes, but Aguero settled the game with his third seven minutes from time.
Earlier a superbly taken 54th minute goal from Anthony Martial had Manchester United a hard-earned 1-0 win over Burnley as they momentarily closed the gap on their rivals.
Anthony Martial celebrates his goal against Burnley at Turf Moor this morning (NZT). Photo / AP.
United, looking to finalise the transfer of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, failed to get a shot on target during the first half, but went ahead on 54 minutes when Martial was set up by Romelu Lukaku.
Burnley almost equalised straight away as a curling free-kick from Johann Berg Gudmundsson hit the top of the crossbar, but that was as close as they got as United secured three vital points.
Striker Sanchez was left out of Arsenal's squad for their 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace and United coach Jose Mourinho said: "If you ask me if I think he is coming, I think so, but I have no confirmation."
Arsenal's win, meanwhile, moved them to within two points of arch-rivals Tottenham (who visit Southampton on Sunday).
The hosts, who could see Henrikh Mkhitaryan move the other way from United, were four goals up inside the opening quarter, with Nacho Monreal, Alex Iwobi, Laurent Koscielny and Alexandre Lacazette all hitting the target.
Laurent Koscielny celebrates his goal with teammates Granit Xhaka (left) and Shkodran Mustafi. Photo / AP.
Luka Milivojevic struck a consolation but Arsene Wenger's side won their first match of 2018. And Palace boss Roy Hodgson's afternoon was made worse as key midfielder Yohan Cabaye was stretchered off in the closing stages.
Champions Chelsea overpowered Brighton 4-0 in the early game but stay third after being overhauled following Manchester United's later win.
Strikes from Eden Hazard (2), Willian and Victor Moses left Brighton without a league win in five matches.
Hazard, who scored his 100th and 101st career league goals, told Sky Sports: "We started the game very well. We need to do more like this week after week."
Paul Lambert enjoyed the perfect start as Stoke City boss as his new side brushed aside Huddersfield 2-0 to move out of the bottom three.
Everton midfielder James McCarthy suffered a double leg fracture during the 1-1 home draw against West Brom.
"It's a tibular and fibular fracture compounded. A very nasty injury," confirmed Everton boss Sam Allardyce.
Everton midfielder James McCarthy is stretchered off Goodison Park during his side's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion this morning (NZT). Photo / AP.
West Brom went ahead through Jay Rodriguez but the hosts were level on 69 minutes through substitute Oumar Niasse, set up by Theo Walcott, making his debut after a transfer from Arsenal.
Javier Hernandez scored his first goal since October as West Ham and Bournemouth drew 1-1.
Bournemouth took the lead against the run of play through Ryan Fraser but the Hammers equalised immediately, as substitute Hernandez - linked with a January transfer out of the club - pounced.
Jamie Vardy's penalty and an injury-time goal from Riyad Mahrez gave Leicester a 2-0 win over Watford.
