MAN CITY beat Sevilla 3-1 in their final Champions League group game at the Etihad.
Rafa Mir put the visitors ahead with a looping header but goals from 17-year-old Rico Lewis, Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez won City the game.
- RESULT: Man City 3-1 Sevilla
- Man City XI: Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Dias, Laporte, Gomez, Gundogan (c), Palmer, Foden, Mahrez, Grealish, Alvarez
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They made hard work of it in the first half but City were deserved winners in the end.
Rico Lewis will take the headlines after his goal put City’s noses in front in the 52nd minute.
The 17-year-old showed his quality throughout the match and he will certainly be one to keep an eye on moving forward.
The result means that City have maintained their perfect home record in the Champions League this season and extended their unbeaten run at the Etihad in Europe to 23 games.
Could this season finally be the one in which City finally win the Champions League?
The draw for the round of 16 stage takes place on Monday 7th November at 11am (UK time).
Sevilla will drop into the Europa League after finishing third in group G, but you feel as if they might relish the chance to play in a competition in which they have found so much success.
Pep Guardiola’s team return to Premier League action at the weekend as they host Fulham at the Etihad.
City will be keen to leapfrog Arsenal before the league takes a break for the World Cup in Qatar.
Until then all that’s left for me to say is thank you for joining us.
See you next time!
Pep Guardiola
The City boss was pleased with his team’s second half performance.
We changed a little bit in the second half. Our rhythm was better and we scored some good goals. I’m really happy.
Pep Guardiola
Ruben Dias quotes
Ruben Dias has been speaking about the abilities of his 17-year-old teammate, Rico Lewis.
He’s an enormous talent. you can see his quality. He just needs to keep working.
Ruben Dias
Kevin De Bruyne
It took De Bruyne just 2 minutes and 53 seconds to unlock the Sevilla defence after he was introduced by Pep Guardiola.
It didn’t look as if the Belgian had much on when he initially received the ball near the touchline on the right wing, but he caught the Sevilla defence out when he produced a mesmerising pass to send Julian Alvarez scampering in behind.
World-class from the Manchester City talisman.
Rico Lewis
City’s right back certainly gave a good account of himself on his full debut for the club.
The 17-year-old showed quality in possession throughout the game and scored a fantastic goal when he beat Yassine Bounou at his near post.
The City squad’s strength in depth certainly is something to behold.
FT: Man City 3 – 1 Sevilla
City keep their perfect home record in the Champions League this season intact thanks to goals from Alvarez, Mahrez and Rico Lewis.
Sevilla gave a good account of themselves and got themselves ahead before the interval thanks to Rafa Mir’s header.
But they were outplayed in the second as City introduced some star power from the bench.
Stay with us for all the post-match reaction!
Man City 3 – 1 Sevilla
90+2, Sevilla almost score a late goal as Stefan Ortega presents Delaney with a chance after spilling a cross.
The Sevilla midfielder can’t keep his shot down as his shot sails harmlessly over the crossbar.
Man City 3 – 1 Sevilla
90, The referee has added a minimum of three minutes of added time at the end of the match.
Man City 3 – 1 Sevilla
88, Bounou makes a smart stop as he denies Ruben Dias.
The Portuguese defender was found by Bernardo Silva’s cross following a City corner.
Man City 3 – 1 Sevilla
85, Rico Lewis’ match is over as he is replaced by Joao Cancelo after suffering from cramp.
He takes a lap of the pitch on his way back to the bench and laps up the warm applause from the city fans.
Remember the name!
Goal! Man City 3 – 1 Sevilla (Mahrez)
Mahrez puts the game beyond doubt!
Sevilla again lose the ball on the edge of their own penalty area.
Alvarez steals the ball from someone before laying the ball off to Mahrez who finishes past Yassine Bounou in the Sevilla goal.
That’s one goal and two assists for Alvarez tonight.
Man City 2 – 1 Sevilla
82, Rodri has given City so much control in the midfield since he was introduced at half time.
The Spaniard is the fulcrum of every bout of City possession.
Man City 2 – 1 Sevilla
80, We have 10 minutes of normal time remaining here at the Etihad.
At the moment it feels very unlikely that Sevilla will find an equaliser but stranger things have happened!
Man City 2 – 1 Sevilla
76, City have Sevilla right where they want them now.
Rico Lewis feels confident enough to almost toy with the ball by the corner flag.
Alex Telles takes offence and fouls him.
Goal! Man City 2 – 1 Sevilla (Alvarez)
73, What a pass by De Bruyne!
The Belgian sends Alvarez clean through with a sumptuous through ball.
Alvarez commits the goalkeeper before shifting the ball to his left foot and firing it into the roof of the net from a relatively tight angle.
De Bruyne was only on the pitch for 2 minutes and 53 seconds.
Man City 1 – 1 Sevilla
71, Guardiola makes a double substitution.
Kevin De Bruyne and Josh Wilson-Esbrand are introduced in place of Cole Palmer and Sergio Gomez.
Man City 1 – 1 Sevilla
70, There’s 20 minutes of normal time remaining here.
Can one of these teams find a winner?
Man City 1 – 1 Sevilla
67, It’s Rakitic who sees his number raised by the fourth official.
The 34-year-old is being replaced by Joan Jordan.
Man City 1 – 1 Sevilla
66, Rakitic is down again after being fouled by Mahrez on the edge of the Sevilla penalty area.
Looks like Sampaoli is about to make another change.
Man City 1 – 1 Sevilla
64, Alvarez has worked hard up top for City tonight but his runs haven’t been found by his teammates so far.
This time Rodri tries to play him in but overhits the pass.
Man City 1 – 1 Sevilla
62, Sevilla make a rare foray into the City half, but Rafa Mir slices his shot wide after he was found in space by Lamela.
Man City 1 – 1 Sevilla
59, City have been so much better since the break.
They look like scoring every time they go forward.
Rakitic makes a last-ditch block to deny what would have been an almost-certain goal for Phil Foden.
Man City 1 – 1 Sevilla
57, Both managers decide to make a change.
Erik Lamela replaces Isco for Sevilla.
Bernardo Silva comes on for Ilkay Gundogan for City.
Man City 1 – 1 Sevilla
55, City almost score another from a corner as the Sevilla goalkeeper pulls off a good save to deny Laporte’s header.
Goal! Man City 1 – 1 Sevilla (Rico Lewis)
52, I told you he looked good and now he’s scored!
The 17-year-old scores his first City goal as he blasts the ball in at the near post after being played in behind by Julian Alvarez.
Sevilla are the masters of their own downfall after they needlessly conceded possession to Alvarez on the edge of their own penalty area.
England might need another right back for the World Cup squad!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
