Sergio Aguero hits four as Manchester City triumph over Leicester City

Sergio Aguero hit four second-half goals as Manchester City moved 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League courtesy of a thumping 5-1 victory over Leicester City at Etihad Stadium.

Raheem Sterling got the hosts off to a flyer when he converted his 20th of the season on three minutes, but Jamie Vardy's superb solo strike ensured it was level at the break.

Aguero then fired two in five second-half minutes soon after the restart to notch for the seventh straight home match and take the game away from the visitors.

Leicester named Riyad Mahrez on the bench after his 10-day absence in protest at his blocked move to the Citizens, and he came on just past the hour to no avail.

Aguero punished a terrible clearance from Kasper Schmeichel with a sublime dinked finish to net his 12th treble for the hosts, before saving his best until last with a dipping drive that crashed in off the bar.

Second-placed Manchester United can cut Pep Guardiola's men's lead back down to 13 points if they win at Newcastle United on Sunday, while Leicester remain eighth.

The footballer of the year battle continues to hot up as Aguero runs riot. The likes of Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane seem to hit the heights on an almost weekly basis, while Kevin De Bruyne - who clocked up a trio of assists - has enjoyed a magnificent season. But this game belonged to Aguero, who once again illustrated why he is one of the best marksmen in Premier League history. The Argentine's abilities have never been recognised with individual awards which is quite astonishing given his incredible consistency in the top-flight over the years.

Sergio Aguero (Man City). On another day, De Bruyne would have got the nod, but the clinical finishing skills of Aguero were just so good in the end. He hit four for City for the third time in his career and is now closing in on Kane at the top of the Premier League goal charts.

MAN CITY: Ederson 8, Walker 8, Laporte 6, Otamendi 7, Zinchenko 7, Fernandinho 7, Gundogan 7, De Bruyne 9, Sterling 8, B Silva 7, Aguero 10. Subs: Danilo 7, Foden 6.

LEICESTER CITY: Schmeichel 5, Dragovic 6, Maguire 6, Fuchs 6, Albrighton 5, Silva 5, Ndidi 5, James 5, Chilwell 5, Diabate 5, Vardy 6. Subs: Simpson 5, Mahrez 5, Iheanacho 5.

3' - GOAL! Man City 1-0 Leicester City. Sterling gets the hosts off to a flyer! De Bruyne fires a wonderful cross into the six-yard box from the right for Sterling to arrive at the far post and easily convert.

24' - GOAL! Man City 1-1 Leicester City. Vardy picks it up 30 yards out and shows his pace and power in all its glory. He races at Laporte, shifts it for the shot and sees his effort nick off the defender on its way into the far corner.

48' - GOAL! Man City 2-1 Leicester City. Aguero taps home from close range after De Bruyne exchanged a one-two with Sterling and teased another wonderful ball into the danger zone.

53' - GOAL! Man City 3-1 Leicester City. Aguero at the double! The Argentine takes De Bruyne's pass in his stride and rifles a thumping shot through Schmeichel and into the net.

62' - MAHREZ RETURNS FOR LEICESTER: Mahrez makes his return for the Foxes at the home of the club he wanted to join in the transfer window. He replaces Diabate. Both sets of fans cheer!

77' - GOAL! Man City 4-1 Leicester City. It's a hat-trick for Aguero. Schmeichel gifts it straight to the Argentine, who races in and dinks a lovely finish over the Leicester stopper.

90' - GOAL! Man City 5-1 Leicester City. Aguero has four! He picks it up 25 yards out and rifles a dipping drive in off the bar.

Aguero has now scored 4+ goals in a Premier League match on three different occasions, more than any other player in the competition. He also notched in the seventh straight home match for the first time.

Aguero is the 4th player to score 20+ goals in four consecutive Premier League campaigns - after Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Harry Kane.

Since his Werder Bremen debut in August 2012, Kevin De Bruyne has provided 77 assists in Europe's big 5 leagues, more than any other player in that time (Lionel Messi, 76).

Sterling is the second English player to score 15 goals for Man City in a single Premier League season, after David White (16) in 1992/93.

Vardy has scored in each of his last four Premier League games, his longest streak since his record 11-game run in Leicester City's title winning season.