Treble joy for Jesus as City hit six against Shakhtar in a boost ahead of clash with derby rivals
GABRIEL Jesus grabbed a hattrick as Manchester City, aided by a farcical penalty decision, edged closer towards the Champions League last 16 by thrashing Shakhtar Donetsk 6-0.
City were leading 1-0 through David Silva in the Group F encounter at the Etihad Stadium when Raheem Sterling stubbed his toe and fell over to earn a freak spot-kick which Jesus converted.
Shakhtar had a right to feel aggrieved, but they were otherwise outplayed for a second time in two weeks by City, who made victory certain through Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and two more Jesus strikes.
It was a performance that suggested whatever negativity might surround City following a series of allegations about their financial affairs in recent days, none of it is affecting Pep Guardiola or his players.
The result also ensured they will go into Sunday’s derby against Manchester United in good heart, with the bonus of having rested the likes of Sergio Aguero, Leroy Sane, Benjamin Mendy and Vincent Kompany.
Sterling said: “It was a massive win. The Lyon match (1-2 home defeat in September) was one of those a wake-up calls.
“You lose the ball and these good teams can punish you.”
Asked about the first penalty awarded, when he kicked the turf and tripped over, he replied: “I went to chip the ball and don’t know what happened. I didn’t feel contact.
“I scuffed the ball. Apologies to the ref.”
Guardiola said: “I am a happy man. It was an incredible performance, the way we attacked and defended.
“The problem is believing it is easy because it’s not. Unfortunately we’re not qualified but we are so close. We want to maintain that level.
“Tonight we are not thinking about the derby too much. After the Lyon defeat and the first goal in Germany the situation was so complicated.
“We reacted really well, especially the last two. We are in a good position but it’s not done. Maybe that will help us keep focused.
“The day after tomorrow we’re going to start against United.”
The City supremo also heaped praise on David Silva.
“In that position he is one of the best players in the world,” he added.
“He’s scored the most important goal in Hoffenheim, every game he is there creating chances and fighting. It is important. He is living closer to the box now and you have more chances to score MAN CITY: Ederson, Walker (Danilo, 61 mins), Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko, Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho (Delph, 76 mins), Silva (Gundogan, 72 mins), Mahrez,Gabriel Jesus, Sterling. Subs not used: Muric, Aguero, Sane, Otamendi.
Goals: D Silva 13,Gabriel Jesus 24 pen, Sterling 48, Gabriel Jesus 72 pen, Mahrez 84, Gabriel Jesus 90
SHAKHTAR DONETSK: Pyatov, Matviyenko, Kryvtsov, Rakitskiy, Ismaily, Stepanenko, Maycon (Alan Patrick, 77 mins), Taison (Wellington Nem, 77 mins), Kovalenko, Bolbat, Junior Moraes (Kayode, 63 mins). Subs not used: Shevchenko, Butko, Khocholava, Dentinho.
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
goals (in that position).”
On Sterling’s controversial spot-kick, he added: “Yeah, we realised immediately it wasn’t a penalty. He could do that, yeah. But last season Liverpool and Milner could say the same. You could do that. I don’t like to score a goal in that situation.
“He didn’t realise. He hit the grass. VAR, where is it? The referees said a long time ago they must be helped. They don’t want to make mistakes.
“They must be helped. It takes two, three seconds to make a decision (with VAR).”
City did not start with the gusto that led to them demolishing Southampton at the weekend but were comfortably in control from early on.
They claimed the lead after 13 minutes when Mahrez wriggled his way through the area on the right and pulled back for David Silva to turn home. Bernardo Silva then threatened a second as he cut inside and fired at goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov.
The second actually came in comical circumstances after 24 minutes as Sterling lost his footing in the area. The England forward was played through by Fernandinho but then kicked the ground as he shaped to shoot and tumbled over.
Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai had no hesitation pointing to the spot, but within seconds replays were showing the extent of his error. The arguments for VAR to be introduced will only grow after such incidents, but City accepted the gift as Jesus, in need of a goal, stepped up to score for his side.
The Brazilian, selected ahead of Aguero, then should have added another after breaking through, but Sergii Kryvtsov got back to block.
Bernardo Silva also went close again with an effort that was deflected narrowly over.
City added to their tally early in the second half as Sterling went from the ridiculous to the sublime with a brilliant run, shrugging off two defenders and curling into the top corner from the edge of the area.
City had two further penalty appeals turned down as Sterling and David Silva went down under challenges but Kassai had no alternative other than to point to the spot again 18 minutes from time. David Silva was clearly felled by Taras Stepanenko and Jesus fired into the top corner.
Mahrez added another six minutes from time when he chested down Ilkay Gundogan’s pass and blasted past Pyatov, and Jesus wrapped up the scoring by chipping the keeper for his third.