First-half targets from Erling Haaland and Bernardo secured a formidable 2-0 Champions League win away to Villarreal.
It was a mature and polished efficiency by Pep Guardiola’s facet, who proceed to impress this season.
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And the win on Spanish soil ensures the Blues sustain with the early league section pace-setters after final season’s frustrations – in addition to extending our unbeaten run in all competitions to 9.
The sport in 250 phrases
Metropolis have been in command from the phrase go.
Savinho and Haaland exchanged passes that ended with Jeremy Doku half-connecting with a low shot that felt like a possibility missed – all inside the primary minute.
The Blues appeared composed and have been controlling a lot of the play, with the hosts diminished to the odd scrap right here and there – so it was no shock when the Spaniards fell behind on 17 minutes.
Savinho discovered the intelligent run of Rico Lewis and his clever pull again was met sweetly by Haaland to offer the keeper no probability together with his twenty fourth objective for membership and nation this season.
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Villarreal’s Gueye flashed a fierce shot simply broad however an equaliser would have felt harsh.
Our second of the night would give the sport a extra sensible look as Bernardo’s well-time run onto Savinho’s cross ended with the skipper heading house from eight yards 5 minutes earlier than the break.
Our second of the night would give the sport a extra sensible look as Bernardo’s well-time run onto Savinho’s cross ended with the skipper heading house from eight yards 5 minutes earlier than the break.
Villarreal improved after the restart with out ever actually troubling Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Savinho, impressing on the proper flank, was a continuing menace, whereas John Stones and Ruben Dias have been strong and commanding on the again.
Haaland went near including to his unimaginable tally on a few events within the closing levels and was solely denied a second by an outstanding save by Luiz Junior.
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There have been half-chances at both finish, however Metropolis completely deserved the victory towards a facet who sit third in La Liga and hadn’t tasted defeat on house soil for seven months.
Wing wizard : Doku had a energetic tussle with full-back Mourino
Groups
VILLARREAL XI: Luiz Junior, Mourino, Foyth (C), Renato Veiga, Pedraza (Sergi Cardona 46), Gueye (Parejo 81), Partey, Comesana (Pérez 72), Buchanan (Alberto Moleiro 66), Pepe, Mikautadze (Oluwaseyi 66)
Subs: Conde, Tenas, Altimira, Marin, Solomon, Moreno, Akhomach,,
CITY XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Nico (Kovacic 56), Lewis (Reijnders 73), Bernardo (C), Savinho (Marmoush 86), Doku ( Bobb 72), Haaland (Cherki 86)
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Subs: Trafford, Ake, Bettinelli, Ait-Nouri, O’Reilly, Foden
Heads I win! : Celebrations for Bernardo’s objective
Star Man: BERNARDO
There have been many candidates for the star man honours.
Savinho – who received UEFA’s man of the match award – Rico Lewis, John Stones to call however three.
However a skipper’s show – and a objective – from Bernardo simply edges the honours.
Rico stakes declare
Rico Lewis spent a lot of final season as a makeshift right-back, doing a job for the group and his team-mates.
In opposition to Villarreal he was given the uncommon probability to play as a extra superior midfielder – and he did not disappoint.
A bundle of infectious power and creativity, his capability to ghost into pockets of area resulted in an help for Haaland’s opening objective.
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However his neat and intelligent motion and passing within the centre of the pitch was a well timed reminder of what a expertise he’s.
And it will not have been misplaced on his supervisor.
Anchorman : Nico continues to impress – although hobbled off on 56 minutes
Pep response
“It’s a robust place to return and we performed actually, actually good.
“On the finish that they had one or two probabilities however basically the play, it was incredible.
“[As for Rico Lewis], ’m fairly certain when 90% of individuals noticed the group they stated why is he in there? I am keen on him. I’m actually happy for his sport.
“Our numbers in Champions League usually are not dangerous. The group, how they’re behaving and taking part in, makes me really feel nice.”
“We felt in management for many of it. There’s at all times higher issues we will do.
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“That they had a number of spells the place we may have stopped them from having if we have been a bit higher on the ball at instances.
“We’ve acquired to be harsh on ourselves; we need to win the competitors. We have a look at the nice issues and the dangerous issues. We’re proud of a clear sheet and a win.
“I feel we’ve acquired our confidence again, that’s the principle factor. Once you play with confidence, there’s nothing that may cease you however your self.
“Everybody trusts one another. The supervisor was saying it’s so necessary on this competitors to get that away win early on.
“It relieves a little bit of stress and places us in good stead for the following video games. It’s an necessary win, house or away we have now to get the three factors anyway.”
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What it means
Metropolis transfer as much as fifth spot within the Champions League group section desk because of our win in Spain.
It provides the Blues a formidable seven factors from our first three video games with a objective distinction of +4.
With successive house video games to return towards German sides Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen to return in November, it leaves Metropolis able of power with solely three video games performed.
What’s subsequent?
Metropolis return to Premier League motion this Sunday as we journey to Birmingham to face Aston Villa.
The sport, on 28 October, kicks off at 14:00 (UK).