Sergio Aguero key to Manchester City's title hopes, says Thierry Henry
Monday 4 January 2016 11:52, UK
Thierry Henry believes Sergio Aguero will be a key player in Manchester City's title bid, but says question marks remain over their defence.
Aguero grabbed a late winner on Saturday Night Football as City came from behind to earn a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Watford.
The win is City's first away from home in the Premier League since September 12 and keeps them three points behind leaders Arsenal.
Aguero had not scored an away league goal since May after a season disrupted by injuries, but Henry said: "He is the key. The goals they have been missing away from home are because he has been injured or not performing.
"He allowed defenders to show him where they wanted him to go at the start of the game, when usually he depicts what's happening, and he lost some balls he doesn't usually lose. He wasn't the usual Sergio Aguero, but he came big at the right time.
"He kept his eyes on the ball for the header and that's key. That's why you pay Sergio Aguero the big money, because he does that."
They were poor. Then suddenly, two amazing goals bail them out. That's the type of game, when you win it in that situation, from 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go, it's going to boost their confidence big time.
For much of the match it looked as though City were heading for defeat after Aleksandar Kolarov's own goal had given Watford the lead.
But Yaya Toure and Aguero scored in the final 10 minutes to snatch victory for the visitors.
"They were poor," said Henry. "Then suddenly, two amazing goals bail them out. That's the type of game, when you win it in that situation, from 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go, it's going to boost their confidence big time.
"They needed to find a way to win the game and they did."
Despite the positive result, Henry said there are still issues with the defence: "At the back they are vulnerable, it's not good enough.
"At times [Martin] Demichelis out of the two is their best defender in terms of reading the game, they [Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi] are a bit faster, so that's why they are getting ahead of him, but the problem is when is Vincent Kompany going to come back?"
Former City forward Niall Quinn thinks the victory could turn out to be season-defining for Manuel Pellegrini's side, but also added his concerns about the back four.
"It's huge," he said. "You can imagine how flat things would be if they didn't have that comeback, now they can really build on it and that dressing room will be rocking, the manager will be happy and the fans will be thrilled.
"It was an amazing eight minutes because for 82 minutes they did not play like potential champions, they were lethargic, didn't really want it, then suddenly they got the spark from two great players, two world-class moments and the whole season changes.
"There are worries about them at the back. Mangala we have pointed out he is rash and not your typical Man City player. It was an awkward day for him."
