Dynamo Kiev 1-3 Manchester City : Five Talking Points

Manchester City have one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League as Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Yaya Toure were all on target to secure a commanding 3-1 victory against Dynamo Kiev.The visitors took some time to really come into the game, but once they did, there was no stopping them as Aguero and Silva put the Citizens 2-0 up at half-time. Vitaliy Buyalskyi pulled one back for Dynamo after the break, but the tie was put effectively to bed by a magnificent curling effort from Toure.The win eased some pressure off the embattled Manuel Pellegrini as City halted their 3-game losing streak. Let’s delve into some of the major talking points from the game.

#1 At last some crumbs of comfort for Pellegrini

Pellegrini was under immense pressure after three back-to-back defeats

Lambasted for fielding a weakened side against Chelsea in the FA Cup tie coupled with back-to-back defeats in Premier League to Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at home, it had been a difficult few weeks for Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean vowed to put the premium on the Champions League above other cups, and the result today was merely a reflection of his words.

Plagued by a raft of key injuries, Pellegrini opted to play several youth players against the Blues at Stamford Bridge keeping in mind the daunting trip to Ukraine just 2 days later, and whilst the 5-1 drubbing drew him a barrage of brickbats, the outcome today will surely go a long way in exonerating all the rap.

The happiest man at the full-time whistle at the Valeriy Lobanovskyi was no one else but Manuel Pellegrini, as alas, there were a few crumbs of comfort he could fall back on.

#2 Aguero is a man of big occasions

Aguero has scored 16 Champions League goals in last 17 starts

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero once again stepped up to the plate when his side needed him the most. The Argentine triggered the onslaught with a clinical strike into the far post and continued to trouble the hosts with his forays into the box.

The former Atletico Madrid man has been one of the few consistent lights for the Skyblues in an otherwise topsy-turvy season, and his goal in the match peeled his side of the ground. He now takes his tally to 16 Champions League goals in the last 17 starts, and will be vital to their European ambitions as they progress into the further rounds.

For many a times this season, Manchester City relied on the scoring prowess of Aguero to bail them out and although City looked an improved side in this one, it was him who inspired the rout.

#3 Otamendi shows his class

Otamendi finally came into his own in the match

For all the hefty sum that Manchester City had to shell in pursuit of Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia, the Argentine hasn't really justified the price tag thus far. The centre-back appeared to struggle to adapt to the rigorous conditions of Premier League, but his performance in the match was anything but.

Otamendi put in one of his better shifts in a City shirt and defended resolutely at the back. Thwarting the Dynamo forwards with his vital interceptions and dominating the aerial duels, the 28-year old was a thorn in the home side’s face and looked more confident with Vincent Kompany by his side.

City's defence has largely been permeable, but if Otamendi continues in the same vein, that’s surely going to change.

#4 Yarmolenko forgets his shooting boots at home

A lot was expected from Andriy Yarmolenko

Dynamo Kiev forward Andriy Yarmolenko was supposed to be the man to help the hosts knock down City. The Ukraine international had netted 15 times in all competitions this season and also assisted another 9. Naturally, Dynamo pinned all their hopes on the 26-year old. And he failed.

Yarmolenko started off brightly, cutting inside with his incisive runs and also getting to the bylines, but lacked the end product to just kill it off. In the opening 15 minutes until Aguero’s opener, the home side appeared to be on the front foot for all his attacking exploits, but it was his final ball that let him down.

Yarmolenko has long been a target of numerous Premier League sides, and in a game like this where all eyes were on him, he should have done much better.

#5 City to break last-16 hoodoo

City were ousted from the round-of-16 in the last 2 seasons

After going out in the round of 16 for the last 2 years, Manchester City are well placed to finally break the jinx. Finishing as group leaders meant that the Citizens would avoid most of the European bigwigs, and they’ve certainly taken the most advantage of it.

Although on paper City had the quality to beat Dynamo, their recent form was a bit of a concern. Nonetheless, the Manchester outfit tore the script apart to come away with an emphatic win that certainly puts them into the next round.

The citizens have always been considered as the dark horses in the Champions League, but never quite lived up to the tag. This year though, after this victory, they may surely be.