It was clear what Pep Guardiola wanted tonight: goals. And we opened the fixture with several clear-cut chances to get ahead. David Silva’s early effort narrowly missed the target, and Ilkay Gundogan rattled the cross bar from the edge of the box. Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero also had opportunities to find the back of the net.
But it took until the 65th minute before the deadlock was broken. Sterling, who came on for Bernardo in the second half, was the man for the job. Rodri began the move by picking out Riyad Mahrez breaking down the left. He then played the ball into the path of Sterling, who took his chance within the six yard box.
Phil Foden, another substitute, sealed the victory in injury time. A fast counter attack caught the visitors off guard, and after Sterling played Foden through on goal, the bottom corner was the only thing on the young player’s mind.
