Shakhtar Donetsk vs Manchester City. UEFA Champions League Group F.
Metalist StadiumAttendance37,106.
Wednesday 24 October 2018 07:37, UK
David Silva and Bernardo Silva both scored as Manchester City eased to a 3-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday.
David Silva volleyed in the opener after 30 minutes and Aymeric Laporte headed in from a corner shortly afterwards.
Bernardo Silva rounded off the scoring when he made it 3-0 in the 70th minute, less than 90 seconds after coming off the bench to replace Kevin De Bruyne, who was making his first start of the season.
The win moves City top of Group F after Hoffenheim scored late to snatch a 3-3 draw against Lyon.
While far tougher tests will lie ahead for City, this was an impressive response to Pep Guardiola's pre-match remarks that his side still lack "something special" to win the Champions League.
City were dominant in the first half and should have scored before David Silva broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark.
Gabriel Jesus was denied by goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov while Riyad Mahrez shot wide and then saw a goal-bound effort blocked by Yaroslav Rakitskiy.
David Silva smacked the post from Mahrez's cross before eventually rewarding City's constant pressure by drilling a low volley past Pyatov in the 30th minute.
Laporte headed in from a corner five minutes later, and City finished with 14 shots in the first half.
The visitors eased off slightly after the break but still had chances as David Silva saw a shot blocked and Mahrez twice went close.
Ederson was called into action for the first time in the 51st minute to push away an effort from Ismaily, but City added a third when substitute Bernardo Silva drove through the middle and finished with a low shot that went in off the post.
Raheem Sterling almost added a fourth late in the game as he crashed a shot against the bar.
John Stones was excellent at right-back and Aymeric Laporte was strong in the middle, but David Silva's control of the game, particularly in the first half, was superb. City's captain was typically reliable on the ball, efficient in possession and produced a composed finish to break the deadlock.
Manchester City face a crunch clash against Tottenham on Monday Night Football on October 29 before hosting Fulham in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, November 1. They host Shakhtar in the return fixture on Wednesday, November 7.