Manchester City 2 Shakhtar Donetsk 0: Kevin De Bruyne stunner and late Raheem Sterling strike sees wasteful Citizens win
Belgian's first-half strike earned the points but Pep Guardiola's side needed a late Raheem Sterling strike to seal victory
THE stage was all set for Sergio Aguero - but for once he fluffed his lines.
The Argentine needs just one goal to go level as Manchester City's all-time leading scorer - and had a golden chance to do it with a second half penalty.
An expectant Etihad was ready to salute their superstar forward - but Andriy Pyatov had other ideas.
The Ukraine international was the party-pooper as he flung himself to his right to make an acrobatic save.
At least City did make some kind of history on the night though.
Second half goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling meant they had won their opening two Champions League ties for the first time.
And it should give them the base they need to go on and qualify from Group F - particularly with another home game against Napoli looming.
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After a goalless first half, De Bruyne played a one-two with David Silva, took a touch before curling a shot around the defender into the top corner with Pyatov unable to get close to it.
City could have put the game to bed as the goalscorer teed-up Sterling but the ball was onto him quickly and he slid it wide of a gaping net.
When Ivan Ordets bundled over a flying Sane to concede a penalty, the stage looked set for Aguero to get the goal he needed.
The only consolation was it didn't matter in the end as Sane got away down the right and crossed low for Sterling to score his sixth of the season.
STATS, FACTS, GOALS & LOLS
- Kevin De Bruyne continued his superb form after Pep Guardiola's gushing praise of his Belgian playmaker.
- The Chelsea flop scored a stunning opener and pulled the strings in midfield all night.
- Raheem Sterling is capable of moments of brilliance. His sliced attempted finish 20 minutes from time that should have sealed the win was not one of them.
- Kevin De Bruyne has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last 12 club games.
- Sergio Aguero has been in lethal form this season and you'd have bet your house on him scoring from the spot. Hopefully nobody did after a fine save from the Shakhtar stopper.
- Manchester City have failed to make a big impression on the Champions League despite domestic success. Pep Guardiola will have no excuses this season with his talented squad.
- Much of City's problems last season came from their full-back struggles. Kyle Walker has been worth his eye-watering fee so far and Fabian Delph did a job on the opposite flank tonight.
- None of City’s previous 37 Champions League group games have ended goalless.
- Raheem Sterling made up for his earlier miss by wrapping up the win with a late strike.
- City should easily secure progression from a kind group draw after taking maximum points from their two fixtures.
SOCIAL SAYS
WHAT THEY SAID
Kevin De Bruyne: "I definitely think it is not my best game, it is the way it goes. It was hard graft today but this team can play. We were better in the second half, created more chances and in the end it was a deserved victory.
"It is better if we score earlier. We will score five, six goals or we can win 1-0, 2-0 too. It was another clean sheet.
"Sergio Aguero is our number one penalty taker. Even if he misses, we still have the confidence in him and he will get a few more penalties in his career."
Pep Guardiola: "A lot of credit to what we have done. The way Shakhtar play, they demand a lot of us but our high pressing was brilliant. We had problems in the first half, we did not make enough passes in a row but the second half was much, much, much better. We are so, so happy for the win.
"They were very narrow and there was little space in between but then our full-backs were able to dictate and created a lot of chances for another four or five goals.
"Even at 1-0, we were stable. We did not score goals but it was a demanding game. The next game against Napoli will be even tougher.
"Fabian Delph was man of the match. When a guy who is so kind and can help the team, he is intelligent, is physical and never loses the ball. He controlled Marlos and did it very well."
