Argentine scores twice in Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Stoke
Sergio Aguero scored twice against Stoke City. (Photo: AP)

Sergio Aguero scored twice against Stoke City. (Photo: AP)
Sergio Aguero rediscovered his accuracy from the penalty spot in scoring one of his two goals for Manchester City in a 4-1 win at Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday.
Diego Costa scored a late winner for the second time this week as Chelsea came from behind to beat Watford 2-1 and complete back-to-back Premier League victories under new coach Antonio Conte.
Costa clinched three points in the 87th minute after running onto a through-ball from Cesc Fabregas and shooting past goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Liverpool’s defensive shortcomings were exposed in a 2-0 loss at promoted Burnley, puncturing the optimism generated from the team’s opening-weekend win at Arsenal.
The Argentina striker Aguero failed to score from two penalties in a Champions League playoff match on Tuesday, but converted a 27th-minute effort to set City on its way to a second straight league victory to open the season.
Aguero then headed in a whipped free kick by Kevin De Bruyne in the 36th for 2-0, making it six goals already this season for City’s star striker.
Bojan Krkic pulled a goal back for Stoke from the penalty spot in the 49th, and City fought to preserve their lead in the second half playing against the wind before substitute Nolito scored two late tap-ins.
Both of the penalties in the match — given at corner-kick situations — might not have been so readily awarded in previous years, but referees appear to be clamping down at the start of this season under new directives.
City got the first penalty when Stoke center back Ryan Shawcross was punished for pulling back Nicolas Otamendi, who had stolen a yard at a corner.