AGONY AND ECSTASY ... Sergio Aguero celebrates but Pepe Reina feels the pain
Published: 2 hrs ago
SERGIO AGUERO’S moment of genius rescued Manchester City from title-race disaster.
Aguero saved a point for the champions by lobbing hapless Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina on 78 minutes.
Deadly rivals United started the day a massive TEN points clear at the top of the table.
LOB'S A GOOD 'UN ... Sergio Aguero levels with a brilliant strike
And failure to secure anything from this clash at the Etihad would have seriously dented City’s hopes of retaining their title.
Edin Dzeko had broken the deadlock on 22 minutes — although that was soon cancelled out by Daniel Sturridge’s controversial leveller.
The former City man drilled home to make it 1-1 to a chorus of boss — as fans were fuming Liverpool played on when Dzeko appeared injured.
STEVIE GLEE ... Gerrard slams home to make it 2-1
Steven Gerrard put the visitors ahead on 73 minutes with an astonishing 30-yard strike.
It was a goal worthy of claiming victory at the league champions.
Yet there was more drama and when Reina rushed out, Aguero kept his cool and defied the angle with a brilliant lobbed shot.
WONDER GOAL ... Gerro celebrates after his brilliant strike
David Silva had laid down an early marker for City with a wicked first-minute shot.
Luis Suarez, a summer transfer target for Roberto Mancini, then skipped through two challenges before he was robbed in the box by Joleon Lescott.
But it was City who struck first, with Dzeko tapping home after Milner’s cross sliced apart Reina and Agger.
ON THE CHARGE ... Luis Suarez shows Nastasic a clean pair of heels
The Etihad then erupted in jeers as Liverpool played on after Dzeko had been felled by Agger.
Dzeko was not seriously injured and ref Anthony Taylor was happy to wave play on.
But the City fans did not care about that one jot and were fuming as Sturridge rifled home from outside the box to make it 1-1.
WHAT A DIN ... Dzeko sends the Etihad wild by making it 1-0
City lost their mojo completely and Pablo Zabaleta almost scored a comic own goal just before the break.
He blindly passed back to Joe Hart in the City goal from the edge of the six-yard box.
But Hart had come OFF his line — and the ball rolled past him and narrowly went the right side of the post.
NET GAINS ... Dzeko scores the opener
Sturridge was booked for a blatant dive in the box before Suarez threatened again.
At the other end, Aguero tore through Liverpool, charging from the half-way line — only to slip at the crucial moment in the box.
Instead, it was Liverpool who snatched the lead thanks to Gerrard’s screamer.
FLASHPOINT ... Gerrard and Dzeko exchange words
The Kop skipper picked the ball up 30 yards out and walloped his shot past England pal Hart.
Incredibly, there was still time for more magic — with Aguero levelling late on.
He tried his luck after Reina rushed out, lobbing the keeper from an incredible angle.
SKY HIGH ... Daniel Sturridge celebrates
DREAM TEAM
SUN STAR MAN — DANIEL STURRIDGE (LIVERPOOL)
MAN CITY: Hart 6, Zabaleta 6, Lescott 6, Nastasic 6 (Kolarov 5), Clichy 6, Milner 6, Garcia 6, Barry 7 (Nasri 5), Silva 6 (Maicon 5), Aguero 8, Dzeko 6. Subs not used: Pantilimon, Sinclair, Rodwell, Tevez. Booked: Dzeko, Garcia.
LIVERPOOL: Reina 5, Johnson 6, Agger 6, Carragher 7, Enrique 6 (Skrtel 5), Lucas 7, Gerrard 8, Downing 6, Henderson 6, Suarez 7, Sturridge 9 (Allen 5). Subs not used: Jones, Borini, Sterling, Shelvey, Wisdom. Booked: Henderson, Sturridge, Carragher, Gerrard.
REF: A Taylor 5
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS AVAILABLE FROM MONDAY
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4776999/Manchester-City-2-2-Liverpool-Match-report-pictures-and-video-highlights.html#ixzz2JruDWqhr
