Premier League: Sergio Aguero inspires Manchester City to victory over Tottenham

Sergio Aguero netted four times in a contest which produced four penalties, with Manchester City beating 10-man Tottenham Hotspur 4-1.

The Argentine striker proved to be the difference in an action-packed encounter at the Etihad Stadium, despite failing with one of his three attempts from 12 yards, with Christian Eriksen offering a solitary reply for a Spurs side that saw Premier League debutant Federico Fazio dismissed.

A game dominated by forward-thinking talent, with defences struggling at both ends of the field, was brought to life on 13 minutes when Erik Lamela was robbed of possession on the edge of his own box and Aguero was teed up to rocket a low drive beyond Hugo Lloris.

Tottenham’s response to falling behind was impressive, with Eriksen drawing them level inside two minutes as Fernando was caught on the ball and the Dane drilled home via the leg of Joe Hart and the underside of the crossbar.

There was to be no letting up, with Aguero restoring City’s lead from the spot 20 minutes in after Lamela was adjudged to have sent Frank Lampard tumbling inside the box.

The former England midfielder was then stretchered from the field before a clumsy lunge from Younes Kaboul on David Silva presented Aguero with another opportunity from 12 yards out – one he spurned as he fired down the middle and Lloris saved with his legs.

The breathless pace of the game continued after the interval, with both sides going close before another contentious penalty call offered Spurs hope just past the hour mark.

Martin Demichelis clipped Soldado’s ankles as the Spanish striker wriggled away from him, but a debate as to whether contact was made inside or outside the area was ended by Hart as he sprung to his right to beat the ball to safety.

Remarkably, referee Jon Moss then pointed to the spot for a fourth time on 68 minutes, with Fazio shown a straight red card for a tug on Aguero, freeing the South American to complete his hat-trick.

Spurs – who conceded 11 times in two meetings with City last season – were left with a containing job on their hands, but were breached again with 15 minutes remaining as Aguero beat the offside trap to cut inside onto his left foot and curl low into the bottom corner.

Thrashed

Spurs were thrashed 6-0 and were a goal down within a minute on the same ground 11 months ago. They performed much better this time but the end result was that the champions still had too much for them.

They started well with Ryan Mason dragging a shot wide and then being denied when clean through by Hart. The England goalkeeper was in action again moments later as he tipped over an Eriksen drive.

City looked much better in attack than defence and Silva almost put Aguero through before Jesus Navas tested Lloris.

Lampard, starting ahead of the presumably rested Yaya Toure, then robbed Lamela to set up the first goal, although Aguero still had plenty to do.

The Argentinian actually seemed to have few options on the left of the area but he opened his body and clipped a superb shot inside the far post.

Spurs produced an immediate response as Mason robbed Fernando and Soldado released Eriksen to smash a powerful shot in, off Hart and then off the underside of the crossbar.

But the visitors could not retain parity for long as Lampard exchanged passes with Milner and then went down under a challenge from Lamela in the area.

Moss had little hesitation in awardin