An overcast, windy day in Stoke. Just the kind of day that media bigwigs were hoping for when Pep Guardiola was announced as the new manager of Manchester City. A day that would be a major test of Señor Guardiola’s credentials. It certainly was a test, but one that City eventually navigated comfortably, although it was anything but that for large parts of the second half.
City were threatening in attack from the get go, Raheem Sterling a constant menace to the Potters defence. It was the reinvigorated winger who went closest before Sergio Agüero netted from the spot after Ryan Shawcross had impeded Nicolas Otamendi in the box. Aguero bagged his second just a few minutes later, glancing home Kevin de Bruyne’s excellent set piece delivery. That made in 20 PL goals in 20 games for Agüero in 2016.
Stoke offered a sterner test of City’s resolve after the break. This time, Shawcross won a penalty instead of giving it away, Mike Dean making a somewhat soft call on Sterling. Bojan went on to halve the deficit.
Whilst the pressure grew, City’s defence bent but did not break. Stoke failed to create any really significant chances and Nolito was in the right place at the right time to convert the third and fourth after good work from Kelechi Iheanacho and Sterling respectively.
Join us as we take a look at four key outcomes from today’s victory.
