Erling Haaland continued his incredible scoring start as Manchester City thrashed Sevilla 4-0 in their Champions League opener on Tuesday.
It's too easy, isn't it?
The Norwegian striker scored twice with Phil Foden and Ruben Dias also on target in an emphatic victory in their Group G opener.
Haaland is the first player ever to score 25 goals in his first 20 Champions League appearances. He's also off to the most prolific start in Premier League history.
Despite never winning the trophy, Manchester City are many people's favourites for European glory, with Haaland's influence at the forefront for their popularity.
Pep Guardiola's side dominated throughout and while Sevilla have made a poor start to the season, they were completely outclassed at home.
The Winners
Erling Haaland:
OK, Haaland has made a great start to the Premier League so maybe the Champions League might slow him down? Not a chance.
The Norwegian scored a hat-trick on his debut for Salzburg as a 19-year-old and has barely stopped scoring since. He's already a top-40 goalscorer all-time in the competition at 22 years old.
Haaland now has 12 goals in seven matches since his summer switch from Borussia Dortmund and all sorts of goalscoring records look like they will be in serious threat towards the end of the season.
Kevin De Bruyne:
If Haaland keeps scoring at a historic rate for this Manchester City side, then De Bruyne is going to put up some wild assist numbers.
The Belgian playmaker was outstanding at providing opportunities when Manchester City didn't have a No. 9 in the side so Haaland is making his life even sweeter. Their partnership has blossomed so fast.
Manchester City's opening goal came when De Bruyne broke into space in the box, a quick glance showing him that Haaland was on the move. He fired in a cross that the Norwegian finished.
Manuel Akanji:
A surprise deadline day move followed by a debut in the Champions League a few days later marks a dream week for the Swiss international.
Guardiola decided to add an extra centre-back with injuries to Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake, and a setback to John Stones before the flight to Spain justified the decision.
Akanji will have been happy with his first minutes for the club which were spent more helping his team getting forward than defending.
Guardiola suggested that he was being careful with certain players ahead of an important Premier League clash with Tottenham at the weekend but the defender showed the City boss he should have no fear in considering him for that game too.
AdvertisementThe Losers
Julen Lopetegui:
Manchester City are the last team you want to face when you're on the brink of being fired but unfortunately it's another painful defeat for the Sevilla boss.
Sevilla finished fourth in La Liga last season but lost central defensive pairing Diego Carlos and Jules Kounde in the summer. One point from four La Liga matches this term is a dreadful start regardless of those losses.
Despite that, there was a positive atmosphere in the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan for the Champions League opener but boos rang out by full-time.
Lopetegui tried to keep the ball away from the Premier League champions but they were simply overrun and outclassed, looking bereft of confidence.
Riyad Mahrez:
No one in the current squad as scored more Champions League goals than the Algerian winger who has been a major part of runs to the final and semi-finals in the past two years.
But there was no recall into the starting line-up for a player who has started just two of Manchester City's six Premier League matches this season.
Mahrez's last start was the victory over Crystal Palace but he was hauled off with Manchester City trailing 2-1 and has now not started the three matches since.
Jack Grealish came straight back into the side after recovering from injury and Mahrez is facing a fight to win back his place.
Antonio Conte:
The Tottenham boss was unhappy with the fixture schedule that sees his side go to the Etihad Stadium between Champions League games against Marseille and Sporting CP.
Adding to his anger was the fact that Manchester City had an extra 24 hours to prepare for the fixture, although his team remained in England at least.
But he will be further frustrated that City weren't stretched more in Sevilla, with the game resembling a training drill of attack versus defence on occasions, while key players were taken off early with the game won.
Tottenham won home and away against City last season and Conte will have to produce something even more special to replicate that.
Ratings: Defence
Ederson (6/10):
Had to be alert to an early, short back pass but spent the majority of the match as a long-distance spectator.
Joao Cancelo (7/10):
Linked up well with Foden and De Bruyne as City looked dangerous down the right hand side and was often the furthest forward.
Manuel Akanji (7/10):
Fitted in perfectly on his debut. Accomplished on the ball and untroubled defensively.
Ruben Dias (7/10):
Solid as ever and went on a couple of uncharacteristic charges forward to help open up the home side.
Sergio Gomez (6/10):
Gave away a couple of free-kicks that should have had him in early trouble with the referee but increasingly got forward well.
Midfield
Rodri (7/10):
After a difficult weekend against Aston Villa, he was back to his best dominating the midfield.
Kevin De Bruyne (8/10):
Constantly probing the Sevilla defence and it was no surprise that his perfect cross produced the opener.
Bernardo Silva (7/10):
Non-stop running through the centre of midfield with his brilliant touch and guile keeping City moving.
