Aguero injury takes gloss off City fightback

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) –

Southampton’s French player Morgan Schneiderlin (L) fights for the balll with Manchester City‘s Argentinian player Carlos Tevez at the City of Manchester Stadium. Manchester City beat Southampton 3-2.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is sweating on the fitness of Sergio Aguero after the Argentina striker suffered a nasty knee injury in the champions’ dramatic 3-2 win over Southampton.

City started their Premier League title defence in the same way they won the crown last season as Mancini’s men recovered from 2-1 down to win in a frantic encounter at Eastlands.

But the victory, which bore more than a passing resemblance to that epic 3-2 triumph against QPR on the final day of last season, was marred by the injury to Aguero, who twisted his knee following a fair challenge from Southampton defender Nathanial Clyne early in the contest.

Aguero was stretchered off the field and taken to hospital for scans on the injury amid fears of ligament damage, with results expected to take up to 48 hours.

Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (R) is injured as Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne (L) tackles him during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Southampton at the City of Manchester Stadium. Manchester City beat Southampton 3-2.

With only 10 days remaining in the transfer window, Mancini admitted that his final activities in the market could well be dictated by the results of those tests.

“We don’t know at the moment, we need to wait maybe two days to get the scans,” said Mancini. “We hope it’s not serious, but at this stage I don’t know.

“The knee is always dangerous and the injury was so strange. I am worried, yes, but we don’t know yet.

“At the moment, we can say nothing. This can happen in every game, it is clear that you can be lucky through the year, but today it is a problem.

“If it is a serious injury, we will probably change our plans. Maybe he is out for a week, or three or four weeks, or after the international break.”

Mancini had been keen on trying to sign Robin van Persie before the Arsenal forward chose City’s title rivals Manchester United.

Now the Italian will turn his attention to a list of attacking targets including Swansea’s Scott Sinclair, Edinson Cavani at Napoli and Fernando Llorente of Athletic Bilbao.

Manchester City’s Argentinian player Carlos Tevez celebrates scoring a goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Southampton at the City of Manchester Stadium. Manchester City came from behind to beat Southampton 3-2.

Mancini confirmed one piece of business that is close to completion is the potential sale of winger Adam Johnson – either in a permanent £10 million move to Sunderland or Spurs or, possibly, on loan to Everton.

City, defending champions for the first time in 44 years, needed late goals from Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri to see off Southampton.

After Carlos Tevez’s first half opener, substitutes Rickie Lambert and Steven Davis had put Saints into a 2-1 lead.

But City’s gritty recovery protected an unbeaten home league run that dates back to December 2010.

Mancini paid tribute to Tevez and Nasri but admitted there is more to come from players like Mario Balotelli and David Silva, who had busy summers at Euro 2012 and looked lacklustre in the season opener.

Manchester City’s French player Samir Nasri (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during an English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Southampton at the City of Manchester Stadium. Manchester City came from behind to beat Southampton 3-2 thanks to Nasri’s late winner at Eastlands on Sunday.

“It’s the first time in about 10 years Carlos has done a pre-season, so if you do a pre-season you can start like he did,” joked Mancini.

“Samir should play always like today, like (last season) against Chelsea.

“In this moment, there are some players like Mario and Silva who start their season in July, so it takes time. For this reason they can’t be 100 per cent.”

Nigel Adkins, the Southampton manager, was understandably buoyed by his team’s performance.

“Our defenders just played against the best forward line they’ve every played against and acquitted themselves really well,” he said.

“We’ve come away to the champions and wanted to give ourselves an opportunity to win the game.

“We’re a team with back-to-back promotions over the last two years and we knew this season was going to be a challenge.

“But there are 38 games in the Premier League and we have to find ways to win.”