City 2 Shakhtar Donetsk 0
September 26th 2017 att.45,310
Champions League
This was not an easy game for City as the visitors played some nice football and it was good to see our defence do so well.It took a cracking goal from De Bruyne early in the second half - his first this season - to ease our minds and Sterling added a second late on. We missed several good opportunities in the second half and even a penalty by Aguero was saved. So Sergio missed a chance to equal the record - no doubt saving it for the Chelsea game!
It looks like we have an outstanding new keeper in Ederson. He saves well, makes quick decisions to come out and his distribution is brilliant. A very good buy! Stones and Fernandinho were very good in defence while Delph standing in for the injured Mendy did a good job. De Bruyne and Silva were excellent in midfield but Jesus looked a bit off form and was substituted by Sterling.
City are now top of the group and should stay top with a home game against Napoli next.
Delph came in for Mendy and Jesus returned to partner Aguero up front.
I am afraid there were very few away fans and there were a fair number of empty seats in the ground
A big welcome from the South Stand
Early in the match Aguero has a chance but shoots wide
On 8 minutes Aguero is put through by De Bruyne but his shot is saved
Fernandinho makes a brilliant tackle
Aguero breaks through but is offside
Jesus is offside this time - I do wish players would wait for the ball to be kicked before running into an offside position
Fernandinho once more comes away with the ball
30 minutes played and Kevin is well placed......
...surely he must score - Oh no the shot goes just wide!
Walker has a bit of work to do
Ederson saves well from Marlos
Sane goes down but nothing given
Otamendi is penalized at this skirmish and from the free kick Ederson puts off Ferreyra who heads wide
on 41 minutes Sane has a shot.......
...but it just goes wide of the far post
Looks like the secret sniper has been busy again!
Delph about to tackle Butko
Kevin de Bruyne shoots from well out.......
....and the ball whistles past keeper Pyatov into the top corner after just 3 minutes of the second half
At last the City fans and players can celebrate
The South Stand can relax a bit now!
Sane attacks down the left but his finish is easily saved by the keeper
Then Aguero has a very good chance but he shoots straight at the keeper and there is shock horror in the North Stand!
Silva tries to beat Odets in the penalty area....
...and is brought down but no penalty given
....but Aguero misses a good chance
A great clearance by Ederson starts another attack by Sane down the wing......
..and he is brought down by Ordets and this time the referee gives a penalty
The visitors have a moan about it and notice as Aguero is about to take the penalty to equal the record the keeper is stood off his line!
Sergio's kick is well saved by the keeper - oh dear
Pyatov catches the ball at the corner
The secret sniper been at it again!
Ederson saves from Taison
Sterling tries to get past a defender ...but did he dive?
Not guilty my lud! says Rakitskiy
and he's in action again tackling Aguero
Sane shoots wide on 85 minutes
Sane has yet another chance ......
..but the keeper saves -
perhaps he should have passed!
Bernardo Silva -on for Aguero - faces the keeper but passes......
....to Sterling who scores and celebrates his 6th goal of the season
City celebrate a two nil victory
The two managers exchange thoughts at the final whistle
Team
Ederson 8: Walker 6, Stones 7.5, Otamendi 7 Delph 7: Fernandinho 8.5, Silva 8 (Gundogan), De Bruyne 8, Sane 7.5, Jesus 5 (Sterling 8), Aguero 6.5 (Silva)
