Sergio Aguero scores twice in phenomenal City debut

Has there ever been a better Premier League debut than that of Manchester City's Sergio Aguero? That was the question being asked last night after the magisterial Argentine scored twice and set up another, having only joined the action against Swansea in the 59th minute. Not bad for a striker who, according to Roberto Mancini, isn’t even 100 per cent fit.

The £38m signing had to be content with a place on the bench at first as the Blues hosted newcomers Swansea in their opening match of the season. The game was a stodgy affair for the most part, the defensive visitors proving hard for City to break down. It was only after a 57th minute Edin Dzeko tap-in gave the Blues the lead, and Aguero took to the field, that sparks began to fly.

The 23-year-old's impressive goal-scoring record at Atletico Madrid was the source of much excitement for City fans, looking for a replacement for Carlos Tevez, and Aguero did not disappoint. Within 10 minutes he was on the score sheet, having glided to the far post to side-foot Micah Richards' low cross into the open net, giving City a 2-0 lead.

Three minutes later, Aguero was at the heart of the action again. Latching on to a lofted through ball from Dzeko, Aguero dinked the ball over the charging keeper and acrobatically volleyed it back to the edge of the six yard box just before the ball crossed the byline. David Silva was waiting and converted easily for a third.

If those two incidents were enough to convince City fans that £38m was money well spent, Aguero's second goal immediately elevated the young Argentine into hero status. Picking the ball up well outside of the box in injury time, Aguero took a touch, nudged the ball forward and smashed it into the far corner from all of 35 yards out. As the net bulged, a new Eastlands star was born.

Aguero is not the first Premier League debutant to snatch a brace – Alan Shearer scored two goals against Crystal Palace in 1992, while Fabrizio Ravanelli put three past Liverpool on his Middlesboro debut – but to do so in only 30 minutes, and in such spectacular fashion is remarkable and has put City fans on cloud nine.

Many may be quick to compare Aguero to his father-in-law, Diego Maradona, but for Mancini the 23-year-old reminds him of another football legend. "Sergio is a photocopy of Romario," said Mancini, referring to the Brazilian World Cup winner who scored 1000 goals during a long career. "They are the same player."

More worrying for Manchester City's rivals, Mancini claimed the Argentine's fitness was "not 100 per cent yet". If last night's performance came from a crocked player, pity the Premier League defenders who will have to face a fully fit Sergio Aguero. ·