Sterling show: Man City run riot
Winger slams hattrick in 11 minutes to guide Guardiola’s team to a superb 5-1 win over Atalanta
MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola saluted the “extraordinary” Raheem Sterling after Manchester City’s majestic winger hit a brilliant 11-minute hat-trick in Tuesday’s 5-1 thrashing of Atalanta. Guardiola’s side were rocked by Ruslan Malinovsky’s first-half penalty in the Champions League clash at the Etihad Stadium.
But City responded superbly as Sergio Aguero struck twice before the interval. Sterling had provided the assists for both of Aguero’s goals, but the England star was just getting warmed up.
After the interval, Sterling struck three times to complete a personal masterclass that underlined his rise in the Guardiola era from enigmatic playmaker to lethal finisher.
Sterling has emerged as City’s driving force over the last 18 months and his second hat-trick of the season confirmed his place among the world’s best players. “All the credit is for him. He’s a guy whose physicality is incredible. He is so strong,” Guardiola said.
“A day after a game, he could play another. His regeneration is incredible and he can play both sides. He is an extraordinary player.” Asked if the 24-year-old could get even better, Guardiola added: “It depends on him, his desire, and I think he has that.”
City’s third successive Group C victory leaves them top of the table, five points clear of second placed Dinamo Zagreb with three games left. “It was an incredible effort because they have a lot of quality. That is why I am so satisfied with the result,” Guardiola added. “Three more points in the next game and we will be in the next stage.”
Atalanta, making their Champions League debut this season, are still searching for their first point after a third consecutive defeat. Sterling deserved much of the credit for a penetrating run and delicate cross that allowed Aguero to peel off his marker for a clinical close-range finish.
City had their rhythm back and Sterling was the catalyst again when they took the lead in the 38th minute. Surging into the Atalanta area at pace, Sterling was clearly tripped by Andrea Masiello and Aguero stepped up to score the penalty.
It was Aguero’s 10th goal in all competitions this season, ending a three-game drought for City’s record scorer. Sterling made it three in the 58th minute as he drilled into the roof of the net. He wasn’t finished yet and raced onto Ilkay Gundogan’s pass before cutting back onto his right foot for a fine finish in the 64th minute. Capping a memorable evening for Sterling, five minutes later he scored his 11th goal of the season with a close-range strike
from Riyad Mahrez’s cross.
LEWANDOWSKI STARS
ATHENS: Robert Lewandowski maintained his phenomenal scoring record with two goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to seal a 3-2 win at Olympiakos on Tuesday. Lewandowski scored for his 12th game in a row to leave him with 18 goals in 13 games in all competitions this season.
After Youssef El Arabi had given Olympiakos a shock lead in Athens, Lewandowski poached goals, both after good work in the build-up from Thomas Mueller, to turn the game before Corentin Tolisso grabbed a third with a superb strike. This was Bayern’s third straight win in Europe to leave them five points clear at the top of Group B ahead of Tottenham, who won 5-0 at home to Red Star Belgrade.
DYBALA DOUBLE
TURIN, ITALY: Maurizio Sarri praised Juventus for not losing their heads as Paulo Dybala’s quick-fire second-half double rescued a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Lokomotiv Moscow in their Group D clash on Tuesday.
The Italian champions had trailed the Russians with 13 minutes to go after Aleksei Miranchuk had put the visitors ahead after half an hour. But Dybala pulled the hosts level on 77 minutes and added a second two minutes later to keep Juventus on course in Group D with seven points after three games.
REAL GET THREE POINTS
ISTANBUL:REAL Madrid came away from Istanbul with three crucial Champions League points on Tuesday with a 1-0 away win at Galatasaray thanks to a first-half Toni Kroos goal and Eden Hazard’s threatening creativity. Hazard shone and it was a clever cutback from him that provided Kroos with a shot on goal.
KANE, SON STRIKE
LONDON: Son Heung-min and Harry Kane combined to ease Tottenham’s troubles by each scoring twice in a 5-0 win over Red Star Belgrade to put their campaign back on track.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men were thrashed 7-2 at home by Bayern Munich in their previous European outing and have won just two of their last eight games in the Premier League. However, Pochettino was pleased to see last season’s Champions League finalists get back to the standards he expects.
“It was an important result,” said Pochettino, as Tottenham leapfrogged Red Star into second in Group B behind Bayern.