CITY TOP IN SILVA LINING

SHAKHTAR ...0 MANCITY ........ 3

DAVID SILVA was the inspiration as Manchester City stormed to the top of Group F with a clinical win in Kharkiv.

Pep Guardiola’s men were in a different class to Shakhtar Donetsk and never looked like losing.

The City boss said: “We were outstanding. We created a lot of chances. Second half they pushed a lot and it was complicated.

“But when we regained the ball we could run. It was an amazing result.

“After defeat to Lyon we were under pressure. I’m very pleased with our performance.

“We are together three seasons and we know each other much better. It’s normal when you have three years together you are better than the first year.”

Silva hit the woodwork twice before firing City ahead on 30 minutes.

They wasted a glut of chances before Silva volleyed home from an acute angle to ease the growing tension.

The Premier League champions ran riot and doubled their lead five minutes later when Aymeric Laporte headed home Kevin De Bruyne’s corner.

Substitute Bernardo Silva added the third 20 minutes from time to help City leapfrog Lyon into top spot.

De Bruyne made his first start since starring for Belgium in the World Cup in Russia. He damaged knee ligaments in training at the start of the season but returned ahead of schedule – another boost on a profitable night in the Ukraine for Guardiola.

De Bruyne looked rusty but still had a hand in City’s second goal.

Guardiola chose to leave Sergio Aguero on the bench for what would have been his 50th City appearance in the Champions League.

But it was fellow substitute Bernardo Silva who scored City’s third with his first touches of the game.

He charged through the middle and with the Shakhtar defence nowhere around fired a low shot in off the post to put the game to bed.