Manchester City travelled to face Sevilla in Group D of the Champions League on Tuesday evening, as Manuel Pellegrini aimed to bolster the club's hopes of progression with three points on the road.
The visitors started the game in standout fashion and they soon raced into a 3-1 half-time lead, thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho and Wilfried Bony.
A resolute defensive showing in the second period secured victory for the Sky Blues, who also gained early progression into the knockout stages as the group's other contest finished in their favour.
Here, Sports Mole rates all of the players involved in the action at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
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SEVILLA
Goal
Sergio Rico: Could do little to stop the three goals going past him and also made some strong saves in the first half to prevent City scoring more. (6/10)
Defence
Coke: Proved to be one of Sevilla's best players and aimed to be creative with a number of strong runs down the right. Could not stop Sterling, though. (7/10)
Benoit Tremoulinas: The left-back got forward well and was at the centre of most of the hosts' attacking forays forward. Managed to get on the scoresheet, but struggled with Jesus Navas. (7/10)
Adil Rami: Made a number of important blocks in the contest and will be irritated by the lack of protection his defence was offered by the club's midfielders. (6/10)
Timothee Kolodziejczak: Will be just as irked as Adil Rami at the back as Sevilla's middle men did very little to screen in front of the back four. The centre-back got forward well and might have grabbed his side an important goal had it not been for a strong save from Joe Hart. (6/10)
Midfield
Grzegorz Krychowiak: He appeared the most combative of the home midfielders, but his defensive efforts came in vain as Sevilla seemed disorganised and were undone far too many times going through the middle. (6/10)
Vicente Iborra: His power and athleticism would have been perfect to help out in defence, although he was unable to get anywhere close to the likes of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho. (5/10)
Ever Banega: Produced very little creatively for the home side, but also had very little around him to build from. The playmaker was too easily dispossessed on a number of occasions and failed to offer much in the way of defending. (5/10)
Vitolo: Took his time to grow into the game, but he did try to make some stretching runs beyond the City defence. Failed due to a lack of support in attacking parts of the pitch. (6/10)
Yevhen Konoplyanka: The winger did not have the best of games and did not see too much of the ball. Turned in some dangerous crosses from the left in the first period, but his influence waned as City took a firmer grip on things as the game moved forward. (6/10)
Attack
Fernando Llorente: Certainly a night to forget for the frontman. Missed one glaring chance in the first half and was eventually substituted. Did not really do himself any favours in front of the home fans. (4/10)
Substitutes
Mariano Ferreira: Replaced Coke at right-back and sought to move forward whenever possible. Did not produce as much as his skipper, however. (6/10)
Michael Krohn-Dehli: Was introduced to bring some creativity to the game and he did seem to add some spark in the middle. He also contributed some defensive work, unlike Vicente Iborra. (6/10)
Ciro Immobile: Brought some running into Sevilla's attack and his presence kept City on their toes in the closing stages. Was perhaps introduced too late and might have been a better starting option than Fernando Llorente. (7/10)
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MANCHESTER CITY
Goal
Joe Hart: Made a strong save in the first half from a Sevilla corner to ensure that his side stayed in front, while also producing the perfect kick to start a City counter for the visitors' third goal. (8/10)
Defence
Bakary Sagna: Did well to get forward down the right flank, while sticking tightly to his defensive duties to stifle Yevhen Konoplyanka. (7/10)
Vincent Kompany: Was one of the major thorns in Sevilla's side as the City skipper marshalled a standout defensive performance. The captain was first to most second balls that dropped in and around the area, and he worked methodically with partner Nicolas Otamendi. (8/10)
Nicolas Otamendi: Is seemingly building a strong partnership with Vincent Kompany at the back. Already seems to have added the strength and intelligence required when defending away from home in Europe. (7/10)
Aleksandar Kolarov: Much like his fellow full-back, the Serbian produced a solid display down the left channel by getting forward well and defending just as securely. (7/10)
Midfield
Fernando: Responded well to Pellegrini's decision to play him in front of the defence and broke up a number of forward moves from Sevilla. His defensive abilities allowed the likes of Fernandinho and Toure to flourish in more advanced positions. Instrumental to the club's victory. (8/10)
Fernandinho: Arguably a man-of-the-match showing from the Brazilian. His industry and determination caused all kinds of problems inside the home half, while he also showed the necessary skills to get back and help out Fernando when he was called upon. Not only was he creative, but Fernandinho also got forward well to earn himself a goal. (9/10)
Yaya Toure: Appeared at the heart of most of City's forward moves and produced some standout driving runs from deep. He finally showed the presence of mind to slot back into a deeper position when one of his midfield partners went forward. (8/10)
Attack
Raheem Sterling: The youngster hit back at his critics with a memorable showing away from home on the biggest of stages. His pace and direct running was a real problem for Sevilla, and he also showed some marvellous skill to lead a number of impactful counter-attacks. Grabbed himself a goal with a superb run and finish. (9/10)
Jesus Navas: Proved to be a threat when he received the ball on the right, but did not have as much of an impact as Sterling. Showed great skill to bring down Hart's kick and equally strong composure to pick out Bony in the box for City's third goal. (8/10)
Wilfried Bony: Did well when dropping deep to open up some space for his overlapping wingers. Used his strength to good effect to hold up the ball. Took his goal well too with an adroitly placed finish before half time. (8/10)
Substitutes
Kevin De Bruyne: Did not have much to do in the final 15 minutes as City sat back and defended for the victory. Showed some good pace when called upon, however, and stung the fingertips of Sergio Rico late on. (6/10)
Martin Demichelis: Was introduced very late in the game and had very little time to make an impression on proceedings. (6/10)
Fabian Delph: Brought on with just six minutes to play. No time to really contribute, but will be happy after making his return from injury. (6/10)
Christopher Dodd
