City’s strong start is just enough to fend off Napoli

Early goals from Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus saw Manchester City maintain their winning start in the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Napoli.

City struck twice in the opening 13 minutes at the Etihad Stadium to set themselves up for a result that put them six points clear of the Serie A leaders in Group F.

Napoli hit back strongly with Dries Mertens having a penalty saved before Amadou Diawara did score from the spot, but City survived a nervy finish.

Pep Guardiola’s men arguably should have put the game beyond reach in the opening half-hour, as Kevin De Bruyne also hit the bar and Jesus was denied a second on the line.

City’s first came when Sterling, pictured, turned in a low shot after Kyle Walker’s initial effort was blocked.

De Bruyne continued his rich vein of form by creating the second just moments later, seizing on a loose ball and delivering a perfect pass into the path of Jesus. The Brazilian made no mistake.

De Bruyne might have added to the score when he curled a left-footed shot against the bar.

Guardiola had described Napoli as one of the three best footballing sides in Europe but it was not until the latter stages of the first half that they began to show why. City had goalkeeper Ederson to thank when the Brazilian claimed a dipping cross from Lorenzo Insigne then beat away Mertens’ spot-kick after Walker felled Raul Albiol. Napoli continued to press after the break but jesus broke clear only to be halted by a fine Albiol tackle. Marek Hamsik – one short of equalling Diego Maradona’s Napoli scoring record – was denied by a brilliant sliding block from John Stones.

Napoli were awarded a second penalty after 73 minutes when Fernandinho brought down Diawara placed a fine shot into the bottom corner.

City went close when Napoli keeper Jose Reina saved a De Bruyne free-kick and a Sane shot, but were relieved to hear the whistle.