Manchester City vs Chelsea player ratings: Sergio Aguero's goals fire champions to Premier League summit

Sergio Aguero scored a record-equalling hat-trick as Manchester City powered back to the top of the Premier League with a sensational 6-0 thrashing of Chelsea.

The prolific Argentinian joined Alan Shearer on 11 Premier League trebles as the champions returned to their ruthless best in a one-sided encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

Most of the damage came in a whirlwind opening 25 minutes, with Aguero hitting his first two of the afternoon between strikes from Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan.

That established Aguero as City's record league goalscorer, surpassing the 158 goals of Eric Brook and Tommy Johnson, and he later extended his tally to 160 by completing his treble from the spot.

Sterling put the seal on the rout by adding his second 10 minutes from time.

Aguero should even have had more, having missed a sitter in the early stages and headed against bar on a dismal afternoon for Chelsea, whose manager Maurizio Sarri headed straight down the tunnel at full-time.

While City responded in the perfect manner to Liverpool's victory on Saturday, Chelsea looked far from the top-four side they aspire to be. The loss left them outside the Champions League places and the pressure is mounting on manager Sarri.

Ederson - 7 out of 10

Forced into one fine save by Higuain’s first-half volley but otherwise rarely called into action.

Kyle Walker - 7 out of 10

Another improved display. Together with Stones, kept Hazard in check down Chelsea’s left.

John Stones - 7 out of 10

An assured performance, which is what we have come to expect from a player who rarely has an off day anymore.

Aymeric Laporte - 7 out of 10

Offered Higuain little room for manoeuvre. Behind Virgil van Dijk, perhaps the finest centre-half in the top flight.

Oleksandr Zinchenko - 7 out of 10

A surprise selection at left-back, with Laporte moved centrally, but continues to repay Guardiola’s faith with consistent performances.

Fernandinho - 8 out of 10

Won the battle for control in the middle of the park against Jorginho. Continues to defy his age with energetic performances.

Kevin De Bruyne - 7 out of 10

Intelligent free-kick unleashed Bernardo and led to City’s opener.

Ilkay Gundogan - 8 out of 10

In excellent nick. Followed last week’s fine Etihad display against Arsenal with a goal from range.

Bernardo Silva - 9 out of 10

Another player in excellent form. Impressing on the right flank despite playing centrally for much of the season.

Sergio Aguero - 9 out of 10

Consecutive home hat-tricks. Now City’s all-time leading league goalscorer. Only loses a point for his horrendous first-half miss.

Raheem Sterling - 8 out of 10

Positioned himself well to bag a brace. Arguably even more of a threat coming inside from the left flank than he was playing wide on the right.

Kepa Arrizabalaga - 5 out of 10

Far from Chelsea’s worst offender but difficult to give him any credit when he conceded six. Gundogan’s, in particular, was preventable.

Cesar Azpilicueta - 5 out of 10

Gave away the penalty for Aguero’s third and beaten too often by Sterling.

Antonio Rudiger - 6 out of 10

Again, not the main culprit for Chelsea’s defensive failings, though he could help shore up Sarri’s porous defence.

David Luiz - 5 out of 10

Imperious in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, much less so in this return. Did not help Barkley with tame headed clearance in the build-up to City’s third.

Marcos Alonso - 3 out of 10

Woefully off-the-pace and no match for Bernardo. Offers little when unable to surge forward from left-back.

Jorginho - 4 out of 10

Another game which passed the summer signing by entirely. Even if he were playing under Guardiola, hard to imagine him exerting the same influence as Fernandinho.

N’Golo Kante - 5 out of 10

Yet to convince in the new role despite six months of practice. Did his best to stem the City tide but offered next to nothing going forward.

Ross Barkley - 4 out of 10

The header back towards his own goal, setting up City’s third, was just yet another example of poor decision making.

Eden Hazard - 6 out of 10

Looked lively in glimpses with the ball at his feet but often crowded out by a solid City backline.

Gonzalo Higuain - 6 out of 10

One stinging volley threatened Ederson but, like Hazard, he was otherwise kept quiet.

Pedro - 5 out of 10

An intriguing selection over Willian but one which did not pay off.

Additional reporting by PA