Manchester City put in their best performance of the season as they beat Serie A leaders Napolj 4-2 at the Stadio San Paolo in the Champions League group stages, which qualifies the Citizens for the last 16 with two group matches to go.
The visitors came into this game on the back of narrow 3-2 win away to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League, putting them five points clear of second-placed Manchester United. The hosts, Napoli, beat Sassuolo 3-1 in Serie A to continue their unbeaten start to the season, and puts them three points clear of current champions Juventus.
The Italian league leaders took the lead after 21 minutes through Lorenzo Insigne, who played a quick one-two with Dries Mertens before slotting the ball past Ederson to send the home fans into raptures. After a very slow start, City responded through Nicolas Otamendi, as he met a delightful cross from Ilkay Gundogan to head the ball past Pepe Reina in goal. At the start of the second half, a Leroy Sane corner found John Stones, whose header went in off the crossbar to give City the advantage.
As the game went on, Napoli increased their intensity and found more opportunities, with Lorenzo Insigne hitting the bar from 20 yards out. The Italian side were then awarded a penalty after Sane was adjudged to have fouled Raul Albion in the box. Jorginho stepped up for Napoli and sent Ederson the wrong way to make it 2-2. 10 minutes later, Sergio Aguero stepped up in a big game for City to score his 178th goal for the club to become the all-time record goalscorer. His goal came after a swift counter-attack from City as the ball fell to the Argentinian striker to bury the opportunity and restore the away side’s lead.
City were comfortable in the final stages of the match and even managed to grab a fourth goal as Kevin De Bruyne’s threaded pass found Raheem Sterling, who converted his 10th goal of the season to send City into the knockout stages. A fantastic performance from Guardiola’s men as they carry on their unbeaten start to the season.
Here are our player ratings from the match.
