SUITS YOU STER

Raheem’s hat-trick shows Pep that City have European muscle

RAHEEM STERLING provided Manchester City with the muscle Pep Guardiola claimed they lacked in the box.

The City boss had insisted before the game that his side are not clinical enough to win the Champions League.

But Sterling displayed a ruthless streak with an 11-minute hat-trick and had a hand in City’s other two goals.

Their third straight group win means they are within touching distance of a place in the knock-out stages.

A fine night was marred when young star Phil Foden was dismissed eight minutes from time for a second bookable offence after pulling back Marten de Roon.

Another downside for the Blues was an injury to Rodri, who was forced off in the first half.

Despite being Champions League newbies, Atalanta refused to be overawed.

Forget parking the bus, the Italians went at City and should have taken the lead from a couple of early chances.

Josip Ilicic’s touch let him down when he was played in on the right, Timothy Castagne headed over a glorious chance and Ederson saved a Ilicic drive.

Atalanta’s bold approach made for an open game and Foden revelled in this freedom on only his second start of the campaign.

The teenager played in Sterling, whose cross went agonisingly behind Sergio Aguero, before setting up the Argentinian to blaze over.

Aguero was also denied by a superb fingertip save from Pierluigi Gollini. But just as City began to exert some control, Fernandinho clumsily felled Ilicic just inside the box in the 28th minute.

Ruslan Malinovskyi expertly dispatched the spot-kick and Atalanta’s 2,500 travelling support went bonkers. City were behind for just six minutes when Sterling dinked an inviting cross and Aguero ghosted between Berat Djimsiti and Andrea Masiello to touch home.

Four minutes later they were ahead. Sterling was too quick for the lunging Masiello, who clipped his foot to concede a penalty, which was converted by Aguero. Now City were on top, although they were forced into the first change when Rodri went off injured.

Guardiola banged the top of a seat in the dug-out because John Stones was not ready to come on.

The Catalan’s anger was short lived and he spun round in delight on 58 minutes when City made it 3-1.

Kevin De Bruyne escaped down the right and pulled the ball back for Foden, who teed up Sterling to finish.

Atalanta were beaten and Sterling took full advantage to complete his hat-trick.

Ilkay Gundogan played him in on the left and he cut inside Rafael Toloi to score on 64 minutes.

Five minutes later Sterling showed a finisher’s instinct to convert Riyad Mahrez’s cross.