What a way to break the record and what a place to do it. At the Stadio San Paolo where his erstwhile father-in-law Diego Maradona is still worshipped as a demi-god, Sergio Aguero ascended to greatness when he became Manchester City’s top scorer of all-time.
Aguero has stood level with 1930s star Eric Brook on 177 goals for 12 days, but it was only a matter of time before he claimed a place in history all for himself.
When the opportunity arrived in the 69th minute of his 264th appearance for City, Aguero did not let his team or himself down.
Sergio Aguero became Manchester City’s all-time record goal scorer when he hit the winning goal in the win over Napoli
Aguero netted to complete a 3-2 Champions League win for Pep Guardiola’s side, who led twice after trailing 1-0
Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi celebrates after scoring his side’s equaliser against Napoli at the San Paolo
John Stones roars with delight after thumping a header in off the underside of the bar to put City in front in Napoli
Lorenzo Insigne has put the Serie A side ahead after 20 minutes when he finished off a incisive attack with a smart finish
This Group F tie was evenly poised at 2-2 when City broke out of defence and the ball was played forward. Leroy Sane caused enough of a nuisance to force it to run loose and Aguero collected it 30 yards out.
Suddenly the path to goal was clear. Aguero drove into space and buried his shot past Pepe Reina into the bottom corner.
Maradona, father of Aguero’s ex-wife Giannina and grandfather to their son Benjamin, is revered here for inspiring Napoli to the Italian title 1987 and 1990.
Aguero was already assured of a similar place in the hearts of City fans for his part in their two championship-winning seasons, but now his name will be officially etched into the history of the club.
Napoli fans in the stands hold up a large banner of club legend Diego Maradona as the atmosphere gears up before kick-off
Sergio Aguero was picked to lead the City line for the key Group F clash, here he looks to get away from Kalidou Koulibaly
Insigne ensured Napoli took advantage of their strong start to the game when he beat Ederson to finish a slick move
The City defenders start the inquisition after Insigne’s opening goal, the Italian had got in on goal far too easily
City wanted a penalty when Raheem Sterling was brought down in the box but referee Felix Brych was not interested
His landmark goal maintained City’s 100 per cent record in the Champions League this season and sent Pep Guardiola’s side through to the knockout stage for the fifth year in a row as they became the first Premier League club ever to win here in Naples.
Up to that point City had showed they can still do it the old-fashioned way on a night when the beautiful goals wouldn’t go in, with two corners leading to two headers from centre-backs Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones.
Guardiola had warned that City would ‘suffer like never before’ in defence and it was quite the opposite. City’s defenders made Napoli suffer when, for once, their high-octane attack misfired slightly.
It wasn’t easy. It was never going to be in the imposing Stadio San Paolo against a team as good as Napoli.
John Stones continued to bravely play from the back, here a clearance in closed down by Napoli forward Dries Mertens
The Stones v Mertens battle was notable during the first half at the San Paolo, here the City man beats his rival in the air
Otamendi’s ability in the air at attacking end got City back into the game, heading home Ilkay Gundogan’s cross to level
The City players celebrate after the Otamendi equaliser silenced the Napoli fans at the San Paolo
However, City’s record of three wins from three had given them a significant cushion coming into arguably their toughest test in the group against the leaders of Serie A.
Certainly Napoli’s form this season and performance at the Etihad a fortnight ago promised as much on what was a huge night for them after picking up just three points from their first three matches.
As such, there was more pressure on the Italians than City to win, even though Guardiola had dismissed suggestions on the eve of this game that he would go for a draw.
The City boss sprang a surprise by dropping David Silva to the bench for the first time in a Champions League game proper since 2014, bringing Ilkay Gundogan into midfield, while £26.5million summer signing Danilo made his full debut in Europe for the club.
‘We have to start putting minutes in the other guys as they deserve it,’ said Guardiola before kick-off, acknowledging that this would be a good test of his team’s character.
Kevin De Bruyne was driving the City attack forward, taking the game to Napoli with his direct runs at the heart of the defence
Napoli keeper Pepe Reina can only watch as Stones’ first-half effort smacks back off the crossbar as City apply pressure
Argentine frontman Aguero reacts to a physical altercation with Napoli centre half Koulibaly as things get a little tense
City were certainly calm in the face of Napoli’s high-pressing game and a predictably hostile atmosphere. Almost too calm at times, in fact.
They insisted on passing the ball out from the back even they were almost caught out on several occasions.
Napoli were determined to force the pace and Ederson comfortably gathered a 30-yard effort from Marek Hamsik before denying Dries Mertens from a tight angle.
The Italians were just that little bit sharper, though, and it was no surprise to see them take the lead in the 21st minute.
It was a beautifully worked goal but perhaps a little too easy from City’s point of view.
Stones meets Leroy Sane’s delightful corner with a firm header to put City 2-1 ahead in the second half of the contest
Goal-line technology showed that Stones’ header had crossed the line despoite bouncing back out after hitting the bar
Stones had to delay his celebrations until the goal was confirmed but once it was there was no holding the defender back
Otamendi failed to get tight enough on Mertens and he played a lovely one-two on the edge of the box with Lorenzo Insigne who sliced through City’s defence and curled the ball around Ederson.
The place erupted and it was to City’s credit that they raised their game immediately.
They broke out with their best move in the first half in the 32nd minute when Aguero turned Stones’s pass into the path of Kevin De Bruyne. The little Argentine raced forward and arrived in time to guide Raheem Sterling’s cross goalwards only to see it deflected inches past the post for a corner.
Napoli had not escaped, though. When De Bruyne delivered from the right, the ball was flicked on and Otamendi headed in at the far post for his first Champions League goal in 39 games.
It was also the defender’s second goal in three matches, as many as he had scored in the 93 before that.
Jorginho beat City keeper Ederson from the spot to pull Napoli level after Sane fouled Raul Albiol in the box
Jorginho celebrates in front of the passionate support in Curva at Stadio San Paolo after making the game all square at 2-2
Aguro became City’s all-time record scorer when he finished a rapid counter attack with a composed finish
The striker’s effort prompted fervent celebrations and cast silence on the home fans in Naples once again
He could even have had another before half-time. Gundogan swept the ball to the back post where Otamendi miskicked in front of goal, and the ball looped up for Stones to plant a header against the bar from 15 yards.
Sterling must have thought he would score within seconds of the restart when he wriggled through but Elseid Hysaj – who had earlier got away with a push on the England winger in the box – got across to make a fantastic block.
Again, Napoli had only delayed City scoring. Leroy Sane swung over a corner and Stones met it with another thumping header. It hit the underside of the bar and bounce dover the line, which German referee Felix Brych confirmed after a few moments of uncertainty.
Now it was Napoli’s turn to raise their game. Insigne rattled the bar with a fine effort from 30 yards and then they were awarded a penalty on the hour mark for Sane’s late tackle on Raul Albiol.
Jorginho kept his cool to beat Ederson from the spot and we were all square again.
Ederson made a wonderful when Jose Callejon was one on one with the keeper, and moments later Aguero struck.
There was still time for Sterling to score a fourth right at the end but this was Aguero’s night. What a record. What a night.