Aguero's penalty curse

Penalties are becoming torture for Manchester City and Sergio Aguero. The Citizens have been awarded eight so far in all competitions but have scored only four. "You can practice them, but in practice there is no pressure," confessed Pep Guardiola after a draw (1-1) against Everton.

The eight penalties for City in 2016/2017

1. Sunderland (Premier): GOAL Aguero
2. Steaua (Champions): FAIL Aguero
3. Steaua (Champions): FAIL Aguero
4. Stoke (Premier): GOAL Aguero
5. Gladbach (Champions): GOAL Aguero
6. Swansea (Premier): GOAL Aguero
7. Everton (Premier): FAIL De Bruyne
8. Everton (Premier): FAIL Aguero

"No excuses. I missed a penalty but I must keep my head high," said Aguero after Argentina's 1-0 defeat against Paraguay. The spot kick still haunts him. The criticism at home and then the missed penalty against Everton ended a shocking week for Kun. Although he has 11 goals in nine appearances for City this season, penalties have become a worry.

Penalty failure against Paraguay

Against Steaua in the first leg of the Champions League qualifiers, he scored a hat-trick but missed two penalties. Indeed, the striker has 'wasted' four of their last six in Europe. "Aguero will continue taking penalties because he is confident. After missing the first he still took responsibility and I like that," said Pep Guardiola after the game in Romania.

Spot kick success against Gladbach

Everton's Maarten Stekelenburg, who had already saved from Kevin De Bruyne, also kept out the Argentinian's poor effort. The Dutch goal keeper became the eighth in Premier League history to have saved two spot kicks in the same game, joining Gerrard, Jaaskelainen, Sullivan, Van der Sar, Howard, Gomes and Friedel.

Penalties taken and scored by Aguero in the Premier League

1. 2016/2017: 4 taken, 3 scored
2. 2015/2016: 5 taken, 4 scored
3. 2014/2015: 6 taken, 5 scored
4. 2013/2014: 1 taken, 0 scored
5. 2012/2013: 2 taken, 2 scored
6. 2011/2012: 3 taken, 3 scored

Since he joined the Premier League in 2011, only Steven Gerrard has scored more penalties (18) than Kun (17). Both are leaders in shots from 12 yards (21). From 80% effectiveness in the English top flight in this art, it has dropped to 50% this year in all tournaments.