Manchester City travelled to Sevilla in Group D of the Champions League on Tuesday, as Manuel Pellegrini's men sought out three more points to strengthen their hopes of qualification into the knockout stages.
The Sky Blues produced the perfect attacking display in the first half, leaving the visitors to lead 3-1 at half time thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho and Wilfried Bony.
An assured defensive display in the second offering clinched the victory for City, who were also able to seal early progression into the next round following a positive result in the group's other fixture.
Here, Sports Mole provides an analysis of the action at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
Match statistics
SEVILLA
Shots: 11
On target: 2
Possession: 56%
Corners: 9
Fouls: 10
MANCHESTER CITY
Shots: 22
On target: 11
Possession: 44%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 11
Was the result fair?
City will be delighted at securing qualification so early and their performances this evening was fully deserving of that extra piece of positive news come the end of the game. Pellegrini made some adjustments with his midfield formation and that paid dividends straight away as Fernando's holding play allowed both Fernandinho and Yaya Toure to run riot in the Sevilla half.
City's attacking abilities were made to look a little poor when the clubs met last month, but the Sky Blues firmly set the record straight with an outstanding attacking display in Spain. Bony played the perfect role as a lone striker, while both Jesus Navas and Sterling produced terrifying pace and skill off the flanks that ultimately did for the hosts in the first half.
Sevilla's performance
Given the way City started the game, the hosts could do very little to stop the visitors' adroit bursts forward. The hosts knew that they would need a win from the game in order to ensure that their hopes of qualification remained firmly alive, but that prospect was almost out of the window after just 30-odd minutes. Unai Emery will be disappointed at the amount of space that his charges allowed City's midfielders, who often moved forward unopposed inside the Sevilla half.
The Andalusian side did respond well to going two goals behind and they made some strong advances down the right to allow them to get back into the game through Benoît Tremoulinas. What will have really aggravated the hosts' coach is that they then surrendered another goal just over 10 minutes later, after falling foul of some smart attacking play. The home side arguably missed Kevin Gameiro up top and his replacement in the shape of Fernando Llorente missed a good chance, before fading rapidly from proceedings.
Manchester City's performance
Much discussion has taken place about City's attacking following the absences of Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Samir Nasri, but City responded to that criticism with particular force against Sevilla. Pellegrini's changes allowed the visitors to play with more attacking freedom in the home side's half and Fernandinho's industrious presence kept Sevilla's defence under constant pressure.
The pace of Sterling and Navas caused issues all game, while Bony proved to be a clinical and efficient target man. What was equally impressive for the away side was that they were able to win the large majority of second balls, while Vincent Kompany led one of the club's most impressive defensive displays of their time competing in the Champions League. In short, City produced a performance full of the maturity and presence of mind required to go far in the competition. The challenge now will be being able to keep this kind of level up in the knockout stages.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Fernandinho: This award could have gone to any number of the City players, but Fernandinho took to his task of taking things forward with real aplomb despite being used to sitting back and holding the midfield areas. His strength and speed led to a number of mistakes from the Sevilla defence, which allowed the likes of Sterling and Navas to capitalise. The Brazilian got forward well in order to grab his goal, while also having the energy required to get back and help out Fernando when he was needed.
Biggest gaffe
Llorente did not have the best of nights in a Sevilla shirt as he squandered a number of first-half chances for the Spanish club. His worst came after Coke produced an outstanding run down the right to find him free in the middle of the box, only for the former Juventus striker to flick his effort straight over an empty goal.
Referee performance
Norwegian official Svein Oddvar Moen had very little to do in the game, as he allowed things to proceed without much interruption. The referee made two good decisions to deny penalties to both sides, while his call to award the only yellow card of the game to Grzegorz Krychowiak was the correct one.
What next?
Sevilla: The Spanish club's chances of progression into the knockout stages are now out of their own hands. Sevilla would require Juventus to lose both of their remaining fixtures, while the Andalusian side would need to win both of theirs.
Manchester City: City move into the next round with two games still to spare. The way in which they controlled this game should fill them with great confidence for the rest of the competition. The success of Pellegrini's new formation should also provide the manager with more tactical options as the tournament steps up a gear or two.
Christopher Dodd
