Manchester City made it three wins out of three in the Champions League this season after another impressive display on Tuesday night, this time against in-form Italians Napoli at the Etihad.
This clash pitted two of Europe’s most exciting attacking sides against each other. However, in the first half, it was the hosts who produced the better football.
Raheem Sterling, enjoying a superb start to the season, opened the scoring on nine minutes, with the England winger netting after Kyle Walker’s shot was blocked.
That goal put Sterling out in front as City’s top-goalscorer so far this season, with eight goals to his name – a prestigious title he held all for himself for roughly four minutes.
Indeed, a matter of moments later, the hosts doubled their advantage when Gabriel Jesus scored from a superb Kevin De Bruyne centre to notch his eight goal of the campaign.
The outstanding De Bruyne almost made it 3-0 before the half-hour mark, only for his his long-range effort to come clanging back off the crossbar.
Napoli were struggling to deal with the Citizens’ scintillating attacking play and needed Kalidou Koulibaly to clear a Jesus shot off the line.
Before the break, the Italians had a great chance to get themselves back into the contest after Walker fouled Raul Albiol in the box.
However, Belgian hitman Dries Mertens saw his spot-kick saved by Ederson.
The Serie A leaders improved after the break and eventually got one back, with Amadou Diawara scoring with Napoli’s second spot-kick of the game after Fernandinho had brought down Faouzi Ghoulam in the box.
The goal set up a nervy ending to the game for the City fans, with Maurizio Sarri’s side pushing hard for a leveler.
Ultimately, Pep Guardiola’s side would hold on to stay three points clear at the top of Group F, with a place in the last 16 all but secured.
(Table: BBC)