David Silva made his 400th appearance for the Blues, while Sergio Aguero’s two-goal salvo against the Cherries took him to 400 career goals.
Incredible stats for two incredible players.
Of course, both occupy the majority of headlines this Bank Holiday Monday morning, so let’s get going with today’s round-up…
Opinion
Sky Sports: Super Silva will be missed
Adam Bate writes: “The pass to Sterling was his trademark, breaking the lines of the Bournemouth defence. The dribble that preceded Aguero‘s second was a flashback, a reminder that as well as the cerebral vision in cutting opponents out of the game, Silva is capable of wandering beyond them himself. That second assist was the 85th of his Premier League career.
“For context, that puts him seventh on the list and top among current Premier League players. Since Silva’s debut in the competition nine years ago, no other player has managed more than 60 of them. There have been four Premier League titles in that time. Silva has been a constant in Manchester City’s transformation into a super club.
“The statistics really do set him apart. Look beyond assists to the number of chances created and he has provided more than 150 more of those than any other player since 2010. Big chances created? He is the only man with a ton of them. Second assists - the pass before the pass? He has provided more than 50 per cent more of those than anyone else too.
“Silva has been the outstanding creative force of the decade.”
READ: Silva reached 400 landmark
Football Fancast: City fans wax lyrical over Silva display
Matt Dawson writes: “Sunday marked a special occasion for David Silva as he brought up 400 appearances for Manchester City during their 3-1 win over Bournemouth.
“The Spaniard won the official Man of the Match award as he left many City fans impressed with his overall display.
“Silva could have earned his team a penalty too at one point when he was brought down by Jefferson Lerma but VAR deemed that there was no foul
“The 33-year-old was deemed legendary by one adoring supporter as another described the midfielder as a magician.
“A further individual said he was class, failing to remember a time where he ever had a bad game for City. One fan went as far as saying he could be the greatest ever player to put on their colours.”
Stats and facts
MEN: Silva nears Premier League greats record
Richard Fay writes: “However, it was the performance of David Silva which really stole the show for City on their visit to the sunny South Coast.
“The 33-year-old put in an effortless display as he perpetually carved open the Bournemouth defence, recording two assists in the match. In doing so Silva not only earned plaudits, but he closed in on equalling a Premier League record shared by two of the greatest midfielders in competition history.
By setting up two goals against Bournemouth Silva has now assisted more than once in 14 separate Premier League games — only Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs and former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas have done so more often (17 games).”
Live Soccer TV: Clinical Aguero reaches 400
“They write: Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola singled out Sergio Aguero for praise for the striker’s contribution in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth. The 31-year-old Argentine striker hit a brace to take his total career goal tally to 400.
“Aguero and his teammates were in fine form at Dean Court and their attacking proficiency restored City back to winning ways following last week’s draw with Spurs. The former Atletico Madrid star opened the scoring in the 15th minute after a miscued shot by Kevin De Bruyne fell in his path before delivering the final blow in the 64th minute for his second.
“In-between, Harry Wilson pulled one back for Bournemouth after Raheem Sterling had scored in his third successive Premier League for the Citizens. Speaking at the end of the clash Pep Guardiola lauded Aguero for the manner he pulled off his 400th career goal in the Cherries’ backyard.
‘It was so important [Aguero‘s second goal].’”The game was tight, and you know everything could happen, and Sergio, you know his sense of goals in the box is unique in the world.’
That’s all for today - see yu tomorrow for more of the same
