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Manchester City returned to winning ways in the Champions League in resounding fashion after trouncing Club Brugge 5-1. Goals from Joao Cancelo, Riyad Mahrez, Kyle Walker, Cole Palmer and Mahrez secured the Premier League holders a huge win in Brussels. Hans Vanden pulled a consolation goal back for the hosts late on.
The Sky Blues dominated the match from the beginning. Only some resolute defending from Brugge kept City from going into the break with a scoreline higher than 2-0. However, the visitors' pressure paid off after the break, as they bagged three more goals, all on the counter, to complete an emphatic win.
Having lost to PSG on matchday two, City needed a big performance here, and they got one on the night. On that note, here are the five key talking points from the game:
#5 Phil Foden is a special talent
Well, that's obvious by now, isn't it? Yet the Manchester City youngster served another reminder of his insane skills with another big performance, highlighted by his dime of a cross for Cancelo.
Spotting a gap in Brugge's defence, Foden, unmarked in midfield, lofted a mesmeric diagonal cross to pick out the Portuguese full-back, who did the rest. That was Foden's biggest 'David Silva' moment for City yet.
It wasn't the only time Foden would make a long ball like that. There were six more instances, and although they came to nothing, City always looked better for them. Foden was unlucky not to have scored a goal himself despite making quite a few attempts. But that does little to mask a sprightly performance from the youngster.
#4 Riyad Mahrez making it difficult to keep him out of Manchester City's XI
Riyad Mahrez has impressed a lot with Manchester City since arriving from Leicester City in 2018. But he still hasn't nailed down a starting spot in Pep Guardiola's XI. That might change now, with the Algerian winger currently in a rich vein of form. He netted twice on the night to reaffirm his value to the side.
Mahrez doubled City's advantage from the spot in the first half with a cool penalty before bringing up his brace late on by rounding off a clinical counter. Adventurous, pacy and energetic, the 30-year-old was a menace for Brugge all night, and showed why he deserves to start every game for City.
#3 Club Brugge lose defensive resolve after the break
Club Brugge, despite falling 2-0 behind, had a good first half against Manchester City. They defended with all their might, closing down spaces in and around the area while also marking every white shirt closely.
However, in the second half, the hosts appeared to have lost some of that defensive momentum. They opened up more easily than before, and Manchester City cut a swathe through them with a series of quick and crisp passes.
The wide men, like Sterling and Walker, were completely unmarked, and both made use of the space in behind to make rampaging runs. Both also contributed directly goal-wise. Sterling drove up a few yards before setting up a cross for Palmer after Walker had stealthily got in behind the Brugge defence to score City's third.
#2 Cole Palmer - remember the name
Among the latest group of young colts to break into the Manchester City side is Cole Palmer. He made his debut last year, announcing himself with a goal in the EFL Cup in September.
On the night, the 19-year-old opened his account in Europe too, rounding off a fine pass from Sterling with a powerful finish through the middle.
Confident, accurate and perfectly-weighted, the goal was everything Palmer is. Minutes later, he returned the favour by setting one up for Sterling, who dragged his effort narrowly wide, though.
Nevertheless, nothing takes away from a sublime cameo from Palmer, whose talent was there for everyone to see. He highlighted that once again with a lively attacking performance. He's a star in the making.
#1 Manchester City put up a vintage performance
This was vintage Manchester City. Following their disappointing loss to PSG on matchday two, this win was very much needed to reaffirm their status as one of the competition's contenders this season.
The Sky Blues were rampant on the night. With a little more cutting edge in the final third, especially from Sterling, the scoreline could've been much bigger.
Yet, Pep Guardiola's juggernaut put up a fine performance, sort of what champions usually do. Even though they still have to go a long way before realising their European dream, this result could go a long way in boosting their confidence for the coming matches.
