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Manchester City started theirChampions Leaguegroup stage campaign at Shakhtar Donetsk with a comfortable win, making a good start in the competition they have made no secret of their desire to win.
Cityhave faced Shakhtar in each of the last two seasons in the groups, and Pep Guardiola again takes his side to Ukraine. However,Guardiolawas without John Stones, who was injured in training this week.Stonesjoins Aymeric Laporte on the sidelines, meaning Fernandinho deputised in central defense.
After Rodri headed wide within the first minute, City were in control in Ukraine. Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring when he converted the rebound from Ilkay Gundogan’s shot. The pair were involved again as Mahrez fed Gundogan to score City’s second.
Gabriel Jesus made it three after the break to give City their first three points of the campaign.
We’ll bring you all the reaction from Ukraine.
KEY EVENT
All the top stories from City’s win in Shakhtar
Guardiola on important early win
Pep Guardiola tells BT Sport how important tonight’s win was:
“We saw the results yesterday and today, we know how difficult the Champions League is. We defended really well and we created chances.
“To start with three points away is so important, it is in our hands to reach the last 16.
“When you win the manager makes the right decisions , when you lose the wrong decisions. We lost one game in eight months and we will not doubt who these players are. It is a joy to be their manager.
“We prepare for the next one. We don’t have many choices in defense, Fernandinho is the only one I have. He is a clever player and an incredible guy. He did it well. ”
Group C table
City might have won 3-0, but they will have to settle for second spot i n Group C after the first round of games.
That’s because Dinamo Zagreb beat Atalanta 4-0 in tonight’s other game.
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City host Zagreb in a fortnight.
Gundogan says reaction was necessary
Ilkay Gundogan, speaking to BT Sport, says a reaction was necessary after the Norwich defeat.
He said:
“We played quite well I think. The first goal away helps you but we never relaxed, kept the ball well and created a lot of chances. The result is great for us at a tough ground.
“We had at least a couple of clear chances. But the third goal killed the game and we were able to play down the last 15 minutes.
“It was necessary to respond and respond well (to the Norwich defeat) All of us, not just individually. They created good chances but we were solid at the back. ”
Fernandinho reacts to new position
Fernandinho has spoken to BT Sport:
It was a quiet night but the team made a very good game. They close their spaces so at the back it was easier. We played today as a team, but we got the result because we made chances.
I’ve been training in this position since the beginning of the season. Pep knows the squad, everybody should be ready, Today was my opportunity and I hope I can be ready.
On Benjamin Mendy:
It’s a bit sad for me when we have injured players and he is an important player who has been out for a long time. We’ve been waiting for him to be better.
KEY EVENT
Player Ratings
Two players stood out in Stuart Brennan’s player ratings from Kharkiv.
See how the players rated here.
90 ‘- Shakhtar 0-3 City
Mendy’s back
Benjamin Mendy gets into the box and sends over a low cross that’s turned behind.
That’s what he can offer so often when he’s fit.
90 ‘- Shakhtar 0-3 City
Two minutes added
It’s nearly done.
Seeing the game out
City are going through the motions here, and Shakhtar don’t seem like they ‘ll break their backs to get a consolation.
82 ‘- Shakhtar 0-3 City
Mendy coming on!
No Benjamin Mendy makes his return.
He replaces Rodri, with Aleks Zinchenko presumably moving into midfield.
80 ‘- Shakhtar 0-3 City
Cancelo coming on
Surely not!
He replaces Kyle Walker.
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77 ‘- Shakhtar 0-3 City
Bernardo comes on
Bernardo comes on for Kevin de Bruyne, with that assist for Jesus the Belgian’s last action.
Meanwhile, Dentinho comes on for Shakhtar’s danger man Junior Moraes.
75 ” – Shakhtar 0-3 CityKEY EVEN T
Jesus makes it three
On the break, Jesus makes no mistake after being fed by Kevin de Bruyne.
73 ‘- Shakhtar 0-2 City
Second Shakhtar sub
Marcos Anton io is on, with Alan Patrick making way.
Shakhtar are trying hard in this half but City don’t need to take any risks and are just soaking up any pressure.
67 ‘- Shakhtar 0-2 City
De Bruyne fires wide
Kevin de Bruyne takes it himself when he might have had other options but his shot is well wide.
61 ” – Shakhtar 0-2 City
Goooo … offside
Raheem Sterling prods a cross towards goal and Kevin de Bruyne acrobatically volleys in the rebound. Sterling was just offside though.
57 ‘- Shakhtar 0-2 City
Good goalkeeping
Ilkay Gundogan gets a yard on the last defender but the goalkeeper is out quickly to the edge of the area to block his attempted pass to Raheem Sterling.
52 ‘- Shakhtar 0-2 City
Gundogan denied a second
A bad clearance finds Ilkay Gundogan and he breaks forward, dreaming of a second goal.
He has Raheem Sterling racing free on the left, but he goals for goal and it’s blocked fairly easily.
Shakhtar can’t clear, though , and Sterling has his own chance, but his angled drive hits the outside of the post.
50 ‘- Shakhtar 0-2 City
Junior Moraes tries a lob but it’s wide and Fernandinho had got back on the line anyway.
Shakhtar sub
Yevhen Konoplyanka replaces Manor Soloman for the hosts as we’re about to get back underway.
City fans make the same VAR point after Mahrez goal
Manchester City fans almost didn’t celebrate Riyad Mahrez’s goal against Shakhtar Donetsk opening goal due to the fear of VAR ruling it out.
City took the lead against the Ukrainian champions after Ilkay Gundogan’s shot rebounded off the post to the feet of the Algerian.
Mahrez made no mistake and crashed the ball home with no Shakhtar defenders
As a result, there was an instant suspicion of offside but replays show the winger was well in the clear.
Nevertheless, City fans were wary given their dealings with the video technology in the past and were scared to celebrate in case the goal was ruled out after review.
KEY EVENT
(Ederson) – vital point-blank save. 7
Walker– great tackle, iffy shooting. 6
Fernandinho– gentle introduction to new role. 6
Otamendi– kept his focus better. 6
Zinchenko– keeping Marlos under wraps. 7
Rodri– safe and solid, if unspectacular. 7
De Bruyne– no magic, but sheer work rate. 7
Gundogan– a goal and a post strike – excellent. 8
Mahrez– easy finish, great assist. 8
Jesus– did well for opener. 7
Sterling– pace is troubling Shakhtar. 7 ********************************
Walker update
Kyle Walker seems fine after looking like he had a knock midway through that half.
HT – Shakhtar 0-2 City
City go in 2-0 ahead
Raheem Sterling curls over as the referee blows his whistle to end the first half.
Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan both have a goal and assist each, and City are in control.
43 ‘- Shakhtar 0-2 City
Shakhtar threaten a goal of their own
**** Taison tries to feed Moraes and Ederson comes out to meet it.
His presence is enough to put off Moraes, who just falls over and the ball runs safe.
42 ” – Shakhtar 0-2 City
Close to a third
Gabriel Jesus breaks and feeds the on-rushing Kevin de Bruyne.
He reaches the edge of the area and decides to try and place it into the bottom corner. It’s just the wrong side of the post and skims along the side netting.
40 ” – Shakhtar 0 -2 City
Mahrez shows his importance
Just before that goal, Riyad Mahrez was deputising at right back after Kyle Walker ha d ventured forward.
The two waited until the play was on the left wing, Mahrez swapped back to his natural position and immediately took the ball in his stride to set up Gundogan.
Seamless.
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