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Final score: Manchester City 3-0 West Brom
Goalscorers: Fernandinho 19' (Manchester City), Kevin De Bruyne 68' (Manchester City), Sergio Aguero 89' (Manchester City)
Manchester City played host to West Brom last night, for the Premier League's Matchday 25 clash in a battle of poles, between first-placed Manchester City and last-placed West Brom - neither of whose standings changed in any way after that game.
City took the lead early in the game, through Fernandinho's clinical dispatch of a defence-splitting through ball from none other than Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian then took it upon himself to double the lead in the 68th minute, finding himself at the end of a neat one-two with Raheem Sterling.
It was business as usual for Sergio Aguero, who categorically refused to be left behind. The magical Argentine stamped his name on the scoresheet with an excellent chipped finish from a tight angle, to beat Ben Foster in the dying minutes of the game.
Without further ado, let's take a look at 5 key talking points from the clash between the Citizens and the Baggies:
#5 No Sane? No problem
One would think that Manchester City would probably be slightly crippled by the absence of Leroy Sane, who has reportedly suffered ankle ligament damage after a horrific tackle by Joe Bennett during the Citizens' clash against Newcastle United, towards the end of last month.
However, the Skyblues took hold of the game from the get-go and held on with a boa constrictor-like vice. Goals from Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero ensured that the German winger wasn't missed, while Bernardo Silva stepped up to take over with aplomb.
Replacing Sane, the Spaniard was a livewire on the field, often running tirelessly between wings. He was artistically fluid on the ball, and distributed the ball effectively with a pin-point pass accuracy of 95%.
Kevin De Bruyne, who picked up yet another man of the match award, was at his usual best as he set up Fernandinho's goal in the first-half before adding one of his own in the second half.
Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero were also their ebullient selves, as the former notched a couple of assists on the night, while the latter added another goal to his tally.
#4 Ben Foster saves further blushes
West Brom had begun a slight revival of sorts, having won 3 (including the remarkable victory against Liverpool to knock out Jurgen Klopp's side from the FA Cup) and drawn 1 in their last 4 games. However, the league-leaders ultimately turned out to be an insuppressible challenge, as they hammered away at the Ben Foster's goal all game long.
The hosts didn't just dominate position, but also relentlessly made attempts to find the back of the net. Pep Guardiola's side took a total of 19 shots on the night, of which 10 were on target. Well, I won't claim to know about your proclivity to avoid embarrassment, but the last person I'd want to be in such a situation is the defending goalkeeper.
Ben Foster may have conceded 3 goals, but the Englishman made an outstanding total of 7 saves to deny the incessant men in blue. The 34-year old was arguably West Brom's best player, and in a 3-0 defeat, that says a lot.
In what could unfold to be the tightest of relegation battles, with just 8 points separating 10th-placed Bournemouth from 20th-placed West Brom, goal difference could end up being either the saving, or the sinking factor, come the end of the season, and Ben Foster seems to be single-handedly fighting for the Baggies on that front.
#3 Aymeric Laporte makes surprisingly early, but impressive debut
Newest and most expensive recruit - Aymeric Laporte wasn't expected to make the first team. A few would've wanted to see him on the bench at the very least, but you could've brushed them aside as optimist fans.
However, in a surprising turn of events, after just a single training session with the club, held the previous day, the 23-year-old was thrust out into the open, as Pep Guardiola astonishingly named the Frenchman in the starting 11.
All eyes were on Laporte as he took his place alongside Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of a back 4, and the centre-back didn't disappoint. While this is not the toughest test by any means, the pressure of having to ease into the game and tempo of the Premier League is what was expected to unnerve Laporte.
Contrary to expectations though, the centre-back fit right in and hit the ground running. Among all 4 centre-backs playing in the game, Laporte seemingly had the most influence of proceedings, not just at the back, but while going forward as well.
The former Athletic Bilbao star made a total of 76 passes, as compared to Otamendi's 69, Gareth McAuley's 10 and Ahmed Hegazi's 30. That's not even the most impressive bit. What's most notable, is that his 76 passes came with a mind-blowing accuracy of 95%.
While not a lot of players well-versed with the league can themselves manage that, it truly is astounding for a 23-year old from La Liga to blend right in so effortlessly in a league that's widely touted to be the toughest.
Again, it was, by no means, the toughest test for young Laporte, but the little teaser-trailer that last night's game was, surely has indulged us into expecting something special from City's club-record signee.
#2 Tiny ray of hope for sinking West Brom
After last night's defeat to the Citizens, Alan Pardew's West Brom continue to sit rock-bottom of the Premier League table - The only team on 20 points, after Swansea City stunned Arsenal, beating the Gunners 3-1 two days ago.
To be honest, though, with just 13 games to go, things could look a lot worse for the 20th-placed side than they are at the moment. Before you dismiss me as insane, allow me to bring a couple of facts to your attention.
Firstly, no team in the second-half of the table is safe just yet. As previously mentioned, a mere gap of 8 points separates the 10th placed from the 20th. An excellent run of 3 games could change the entire dynamic.
Secondly, as things stand, West Brom, who are 20th, with 20 points, are slated to play the fewest games against teams in the top 10. Out of the 13 remaining games, the Baggies play 6 of them against top 10 sides.
Now for a wider perspective, let's consider the next 6 teams above West Brom in the Premier League
Swansea City, who are 19th, with 23 points still have 7 games remaining against top 10 sides.
Southampton, who are 18th, with 23 points, will have to play 8 more games against the top 10.
Huddersfield Town, 17th, with 24 points, must play 7 more against the top 10.
Stoke City (16th), Brighton (15th), and Newcastle (14th), with 24 points each, are also scheduled to play 8 games apiece against top 10 sides.
I hate throwing numbers at you, but as illustrated by them, while things certainly look grim for Alan Pardew and co., it most definitely isn't over yet. It will take something miraculous to stage an unforeseen comeback, but it isn't impossible.
An inspired run of a few games could be enough to propel the Baggies out of the drop zone and into safety, but the real question the needs to be asked is, can they pull off a spectacular surge and send the rest of the teams in contention for relegation into dizzying chaos?
#1 City become second European side to score 100 goals this season
Let's face it. This was bound to happen. There's just been no stopping the juggernaut that this Manchester City side has been since the start of the season.
The Citizens have taken the attack to every side that they have come across, and have only been overwhelmed twice this season - by Shakhtar Donetsk in a meaningless UEFA Champions League game, and Liverpool in the Premier League.
The dominant force that they've been, City have now become only the second European side, after Paris Saint-Germain, of course, to score 100 goals or more across all competitions this season.
Pep Guardiola's side have scored a mammoth 73 goals from 25 matches in the Premier League, and in the UEFA Champions League, the Citizens have already scored 14 goals from 6 games.
Domestically, too, City have shipped in goals on a regular basis, having scored 8 goals from 5 Carabao Cup matches, and 6 goals from 2 FA Cup matches.
That's a grand total of 101 goals from 38 games. And we're only at the start of February. If City continue to plunder their way through the season like they have so far, there's no telling what kind of carnage they'll leave in their wake.
