Manchester City welcomed F.C. Copenhagen to the Etihad for another Champions League night. We had goals, we had light shows, we had a clean sheet, we had drums – and now we all have tinnitus.
Starting XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Gomez, Gundogan (C), Silva, Grealish, Mahrez, Alvarez and Haaland.
A routine performance for the blues that didn’t see us break a sweat. F.C. Copenhagen attempted few counterattacks but nothing substantial, and City controlled the game.
Whilst the performance for Copenhagen on the pitch was dull, their fans put in a shift, there’ll be some null voices and shoulder cramps in the morning.
Their team has just been hammered 5-0 by @ManCity but the FC Copenhagen fans stayed to cheer and applaud their team at the final whistle and beyond - total respect to the Danes unlike some recent visitors to the Etihad 👏🏻🇩🇰 Just an observation 💙👍🏻🤣 pic.twitter.com/Bn7YXg3H4a
— David Walker (@djwskyblu) October 5, 2022
The first goal came on 7 minutes as Haaland finishes from a Cancelo cross. There were plenty more chances as the City attack hounded Copenhagen’s defence like, well, hound dogs.
The 32-minute mark enters who other than Haaland with his brace to take City 2-0 up. Gomez took his opportunity for a shot on goal from a corner which was put into the path of Haaland after a save.
Gomez who had an excellent game then forced a 3rd goal in the 39th minute, his shot/cross took a deflection ending in an own goal.
Haaland was hooked at half time, which gave Palmer a good run out, and he was impressive. Creating chances and being a menace to the Copenhagen defence.
City were awarded a penalty after a tussle in the box – I’ve always wanted to say that (you get me FIFA fans). The penalty was converted smoothly by Mahrez.
With City in the driver’s seat, we saw the introduction of some youngsters including Rico Lewis for Cancelo, and Wilson-Esbrand for Silva. Gomez shifted to the middle.
The 5th and final goal was a tap in for our Sergio regen, Alvarez. The move started off with a powerful run straight down the middle from Grealish, who put it through to Mahrez for the cross, nicely finished by the young Argentinian.
Whilst it was an incredible and comfortable team performance. There were some outstanding displays from Grealish, Gomez, Alvarez and Laporte.
City remain ahead at the top of group G of the Champions League and look unlikely to stop anytime soon.
Next up, we have Southampton on Saturday at the Etihad. 3 home games in a week? Loverrrrrly.