Unsettled Sergio earns soothing words from Pep

MANCHESTER, England - Pep Guardiola said Sergio Aguero had earned the right to determine his own Manchester City future after the Argentine striker scored a brace in a 4-0 demolition of Bournemouth.

The build-up to Saturday's contest was overshadowed by talk of Aguero's supposed discontent at Etihad Stadium as Guardiola continues to rotate his starting XI.

Aguero, City's all-time leading scorer, is reported to have held talks with club owner Khaldoon Al Mubarak, but he showed no signs of unhappiness against Bournemouth as he scored twice and set up a goal for Raheem Sterling.

"I respect Sergio a lot, about all he has done and what he will do in the future," said City manager Guardiola after the Premier League leader's 17th successive league win.

"He is a legend. He will decide absolutely everything about his life and his future. I'm delighted to have him here with Gabriel (Jesus) and all the squad.

"Aguero is a special player, a legend, and I am so happy when he plays good and he is scoring goals. I know the players who normally don't play are upset, but all the team deserve to play."

Aguero's first goal, a clinically taken diving header after 27 minutes following a fine Fernandinho cross, was his 100th City goal at the Etihad.

City has now scored 101 goals in 2017, becoming the first top-flight team to do so in a calendar year since Liverpool netted 106 throughout 1982.

City is 13 points ahead of Manchester United, who was criticized by manager Jose Mourinho for "childish" mistakes after conceding an added-time equalizer in a 2-2 draw at Leicester.

Sterling doubled City's lead in the 53rd minute, thrashing a low effort home to end a challenging week for the England forward. On Wednesday a man was jailed for 16 weeks for racially abusing Sterling at the club's training ground the previous weekend.

The former Liverpool player appears to have shrugged off the incident and Guardiola believes he is getting better all the time.

"With and without the ball, he's so aggressive and so intense. I like how clear it's becoming - he knows when to dribble and when to pass," said Guardiola.

"Before there was a mistake, now he's enjoying scoring goals. In the past it was a bit scary for him.

"He's loved in the locker room, he's a young player and important for the national team. He must maintain that level."

After Sterling's strike, Bournemouth could no longer contain City and the home side laid siege to the Cherries' goal.

Aguero nodded home his second header of the match before substitute Danilo ruthlessly finished from 12 yards out with five minutes remaining.

Although they slipped into the relegation zone, the Cherries showed enough intent and commitment to suggest they can avoid the drop.

"City are an outstanding team, very difficult to play against and we came with a game plan to stay in the game, then maybe have a go," said beaten manager Eddie Howe.

"For long periods we were good. The (first) goal came from our mistake, which was disappointing, but the rest of the half was OK. The second goal was the killer. We had another go, but it was difficult."

Howe added: "We try to approach every game looking to win, but these are a difficult team to play against.

"If you get it wrong here they have the players to expose it. We've had an incredibly difficult run, but we are through it and have to focus on the games coming up."