Manchester City inching ahead in their quest of maiden UCL title

Review: Belligerent Man City KO Club Brugge

Manchester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (C) celebrates scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on October 23, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Manchester City thrashed Club Brugge 4-1 on Matchday 4 of UEFA Champions League Group stage fixtures at the Etihad. Cityzens topped Group A with this morale-boosting victory after having a torrid week across all competitions.

Phil Foden broke the shackles in the 15th minute; netting an excellent cross from Joao Cancelo giving City a slender 1-0 lead.

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Brugge cut short City’s joy almost immediately with an equalizer in the 17th minute. The volley sent in by De katelaere was forced into City’s post past a desperate Ederson, courtesy of an unfortunate deflection of John Stones.

It was an intriguing first half with Manchester City having nine shots on goal, but a solitary shot on target was depicting the quality City’s been missing ever since the departure of Kun Aguero.

Though it was 1-1 at halftime, the hosts were head and shoulders above the visitors and could smell blood in the forthcoming passage of play.

Club Brugge were edging ahead with every passing minute in the second essay and City were rather passive in the initial minutes of the play.

Riyad Mahrez broke the deadlock for the Skyblues at the stroke of one hour mark with a belligerent shot at the far post from a brilliant pass from Joao Cancelo, who stamped his authority on every possible occasion.

Raheem Sterling’s tap-in from a cut-back by Ilkay Gundogan in the 70th minute made sure that City was taking home all the three points, as they inch towards their second shot at glory after missing out on the final lap in the previous edition of the UCL.

City’s number nine, Gabriel Jesus scored in the injury time to cap off an assured performance which Pep Guardiola would be pretty satisfied with especially after having lost twice on the bounce.

Manchester City travel to Old Trafford this weekend to face a rejuvenated Red Devils outfit for an all-important clash on matchday 11 of the English Premier League.

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