Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SILVA’S SERVICE
Bernardo’s stunner seals points for City as Champions send a title warning
THE sheer brilliance of the goal prompted Pep Guardiola to burst out laughing.
And you know it must be something really special to provoke that sort of reaction from the Manchester City boss.
Bernardo Silva’s breakaway goal was magnificent, breathtaking and it sent out a clear message of intent from the reigning champions.
It is hard to imagine you will see a better goal from City this season, Bernardo is in the form of his life and, at times, their football was a joy to watch.
His goal overshadowed Jack Grealish’s return to Villa Park, City’s £100million record signing has been kept in the shade by the Portugal midfielder as Steven Gerrard also suffered his first defeat since taking charge last month.
It was Bernardo who was supposed to make way for Grealish (above) and yet he has stepped up, taken his game to another level and his wonder goal left the whole of Villa Park open-mouthed in wonder.
Grealish did not start, was among the subs and got a largely warm reception on his return to his boyhood club which was fitting for the respectful way he left in the summer. But City were in one of those unstoppable moods where they toyed with the opposition, painting pretty patterns all over the pitch with their scintillating passing and movement.
It was great credit to Villa boss Gerrard that his side stayed in the game – more experienced teams have folded – and yet Ollie Watkins led the line (above) brilliantly and made a real fight of it.
But, realistically, City were just too good.
They took a 27th-minute lead through Ruben Dias who scored only his second goal for the club.
The visitors started brilliantly, toyed with Villa and eventually found a way through when Raheem Sterling broke down the left, pulled back a low cross to Dias and his shot took a deflection off Leon Bailey which took the ball past Emi Martinez.
It was no more than City deserved. But
Bailey’s night got 0
0 worse as he limped off soon afterwards and was replaced by Ashley Young. And then it got even worse for Villa.
Bernardo’s goal deserves to be shown over and over again as a wonderful example of their glorious football under Guardiola.
One moment Riyad Mahrez was almost playing head tennis with Fernandinho on the edge of his own box, the next they were breaking forward at lightning speed.
Mahrez headed the ball to Fernandinho, his pass released Gabriel Jesus down the right wing and you could see Bernardo racing forward on the opposite side.
Jesus’s inch-perfect cross found Bernardo and any normal player would take a touch and control it. But the Portugal midfielder did volleyed it and it flew into the net. What a goal.
It looked ominous for Villa.
But they came back bravely and two minutes after the restart, Douglas Luiz’s corner found Watkins and his shot went in off the post. But City were too good.