Manchester City rounded off a fine Champions League group stage campaign, which saw them finish top of Group G after a 3-1 win over Sevilla on Wednesday night.
In a first-half largely dominated by City, but without either team particularly impressing, it was Sevilla who opened the scoring, with Rafa Mir capitalising on shoddy marking from a corner to head into the far corner.
Manchester City had their equaliser not far into the second period, through an unlikely source.
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A high press presented the ball to Julián Álvarez, who set up 17-year-old old full debutant Rico Lewis to lash home his first goal for the club - the look on his face told you just how pleased he was with it.
The introduction of Kevin de Bruyne proved the catalyst for Manchester City to go on and win the game.
The Belgian international provided an inch-perfect through ball to Julián Álvarez, with the young striker rounding Bono in the Sevilla goal and firing into the roof of the net for 2-1.
The performance took off from there and Manchester City soon bagged another.
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Strong pressing from Álvarez forced the Sevilla mistake, and the Argentine fed Riyad Mahrez, who lashed a high finish into the net, rounding off the scoring in Manchester City’s Champions League group campaign.
Here’s how we rated the players in Manchester City’s comfortable 3-1 win over Sevilla!
Starting XI
Stefan Ortega - 7
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Maybe could have reached the goal he conceded on another day, but made some other decent stops.
Rico Lewis - 8 (MOTM)
What a moment for the young man, bagging his first goal on his first start for the club, and in the Champions League too. His confidence only grew from there in a great display.
Rúben Dias - 7
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Rarely involved defensively, played the ball well.
Aymeric Laporte - 7.5
Nipped in sharply to win the ball back on the odd Sevilla break.
Sergio Gómez - 7
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Will take a little blame for losing Mir for the Sevilla goal, but contributed well with forward-thinking play.
Ilkay Gündogan - 6.5
Couldn’t always get involved as Sevilla blocked off the middle of the pitch. Broke up play well.
Cole Palmer - 6
Struggled to influence the game in a central role. Drifted out wide occasionally and was better, but not his best.
Phil Foden - 7
Had a real mixed bag in that he was picking up some great positions, but couldn’t always pull his ideas off.
Riyad Mahrez - 7.5
Not always influential in the first half, but got more involved as it went on and fired in a fine goal.
Julián Álvarez - 8
Near anonymous in the first period, but what a second half. Two assists and a goal that he really needed.
Jack Grealish - 6.5
Formed a good relationship with Foden, although didn’t always make the best decisions in the danger areas.
Substitutes
Rodri - 7
Brought a calmness and sense of control to the middle of the pitch.
Bernardo Silva - 7
Likewise, really helped with ensuring dominance of the match.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand - 6.5
Had some nice ideas, with mixed success, as well as decent defending.
Kevin de Bruyne - 7
Came on and immediately swung the game with class, especially with a sensational assist to Álvarez.
João Cancelo - N/A
Topics: Manchester City, Sevilla, Premier League, La Liga, Champions League, Football
Hamish MacRae