With neither Manchester City nor Shakhtar Donetsk having made a particularly strong start to the group stage, a result in this game was pivotal for both managers. Paulo Fonseca had to deal without Brazilian duo Marlos and Taison, while Pep Guardiola brought back Kevin De Bruyne for his first start of the season, after two months out with a knee injury.
Before the game, Shakhtar had never lost at home to an English side in Europe, showing the 'Citizens' how tough the task would be in Kharkiv. Anticipation was high in the Metalist Stadium ahead of kick-off, with Fernandinho returning to the Ukraine to face his former side.
Pep Guardiola's side left the blocks in hot pursuit of an opening goal. Within just six minutes, the Premier League leaders had already mustered three efforts on goal. David Silva's overhead effort and Mendy's long-range strike showed City's intent early on, while Shakhtar goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov was grateful to see Kevin De Bruyne's shot deflect into his arms.
A series of corners then followed in Manchester City's favour, with the Ukrainian outfit struggling to keep hold of the ball against a constantly-pressing opponent. Gabriel Jesus, who has seemingly lacked his goalscoring instinct on several occasions already this season, could not find his feet and failed to hit the target twice within five minutes.
Then, the 'Citizens' stepped up their intensity even more. An electric counter-attack put Mahrez one-on-one with Pyatov - though the Algerian could only drag his effort wide - before, minutes later, Mahrez saw another shot blocked on the line. An increasingly-unfortunate City side were also denied by the post as David Silva flicked on Mahrez's tempting cross.
Just before the half-hour mark, the outlook of the game changed completely as the English side scored two goals in just five minutes. 29 minutes in, David Silva volleyed home as the ball rebounded perfectly off Gabriel Jesus' strike, handing Pep Guardiola's side the breakthrough. Minutes later, full-back Benjamin Mendy tested Pyatov from 40 yards, and City doubled their lead from the resutlting corner. Aymeric Laporte, a mainstay in the side this season, was left unmarked in the area to head home into the top corner. A poor goal for Shakhtar to concede.
The break came much-needed for Paulo Fonseca's side, with the 'Miners' in need of a quick response. Silva came close once more at the other end, though the Ukrainian side did threaten through Kovalenko who saw a couple of attempts blocked by Ederson and his defence.
All in all, Manchester City had complete control of the game, and continued to bombard the Shakhtar box with efforts and crosses. Mahrez and Jesus both hit the side-netting within two minutes, before the 'Citizens' finally struck their third goal through a real 'impact' substitution. Portuguese playmaker Bernardo Silva replaced Kevin De Bruyne in the 69th minute, and just seconds later made sure of the three points as he drifted inside and placed the ball in the far corner of Pyatov's goal with his left boot.
Shakhtar Donetsk, who also sit top of their respective league, looked well-and-truly defeated after the third goal, and struggled to keep hold of possession against an impressive 'Sky Blue' side. Raheem Sterling raced clear of their defence in injury time but struck the crossbar with his effort, though Pep Guardiola and Manchester City will not rue the miss.
With Lyon failing to win in Hoffenheim, City move top of Group F and become the first English side to win away at Shakhtar Donetsk - an impressive feat.
23 de octubre de 2018