Courtois sent off as Chelsea are crushed by City

Chelsea 0 Manchester City 3

Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick and Thibaut Courtois was sent off as Chelsea were well beaten.

Kevin De Bruyne was outstanding on his return to Stamford Bridge, where the former Chelsea man was involved in the first two goals.

Aguero’s third came from the penalty spot with 11 minutes remaining after Blues keeper Courtois was red-carded for bringing down Fernandinho in the box.

De Bruyne, who made just two league starts during his two years as a Chelsea player, set up City’s 32nd-minute opener.

He found Aguero, whose right-footed shot from near the edge of the penalty area was helped into the net by a deflection off Gary Cahill.

Aguero struck again eight minutes into the second half to put the visitors in complete command.

De Bruyne picked the ball up inside his own half and then found Samir Nasri, whose pass put Aguero through.

The Argentine took full advantage, coolly steering the ball beyond Courtois.

With Diego Costa back from suspension, Chelsea had made a lively start.

The Spain striker caused panic in the City defence early on and laid the ball back for Pedro, whose shot was cleared off the line by Nicolás Otamendi.

City responded strongly and Courtois twice saved with his legs, denying fellow Belgian De Bruyne and later Nasri after they had been put through on goal.

But Courtois was unable to rescue his team when Aguero broke the deadlock and then doubled City’s lead.

Worse followed for Courtois when he was dismissed after being left exposed by his defence yet again.

Aguero calmly thumped the resulting spot-kick past substitute keeper Asmir Begovic.