Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva inspired Manchester City to a commanding 2-0 victory over Villarreal in Spain.
The Norwegian struck early before Silva doubled the lead before half-time, as Pep Guardiola’s side controlled proceedings to claim all three points on the road in the UEFA Champions League.
As it happened
Manchester City came into tonight’s game knowing three points were vital to ease any concerns of a difficult Champions League campaign.
Pep Guardiola’s side were also looking to silence talk of being a “one-man team,” with Haaland having scored the vast majority of their goals so far this season.
City faced a Villarreal side struggling for form, with just one point from their opening two European matches. It didn’t take long for the visitors to settle, with Haaland posing his usual threat and Jeremy Doku causing constant problems down the flank – winning free kicks and forcing saves from goalkeeper Luiz Junior.
But as always, Haaland was never far from the spotlight. The Norwegian proved why he’s the Premier League’s top scorer, rising highest to meet Rico Lewis’s precise cross and head City into the lead just before the 20-minute mark. It was the perfect start for Guardiola’s men.
Villarreal tried to respond but found it difficult to break through. City soon doubled their lead through Bernardo Silva, who nodded home superbly to make it 2–0 and put the game firmly in their control.
The hosts pushed in the second half – Pape Gueye tested Gianluigi Donnarumma from range, and former Chelsea defender Renato Veiga hit the post late on – but it wasn’t enough to trouble the visitors.
The win extends City’s unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches and puts them in a strong position to qualify comfortably for the knockout rounds, sitting fifth in the group stage standings.
With a trip to Real Madrid next, victory there would all but seal a play-off place for the reigning Premier League champions.
For Villarreal, the search for a first European win of the season continues, with plenty of work to do if they’re to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The Lineups
VIL: Luiz Junior; Mourino, Foyth, Renato Veiga, Pedraza; Comesana, Partey, Gueye, Buchanan; Pepe, Mikautadze
MCI: Donnarumma; M. Nunes, Stones, Ruben Dias, Gvardiol; Gonzalez; Savinho, Lewis, B. Silva, Doku; Haaland