Manchester City cruised to their first Champions League win of the season – and equalled a competition record – with an alarmingly straightforward win at Slovan Bratislava.
Pep Guardiola’s side registered their 25th consecutive game in the Champions League without defeat to level the mark achieved by Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side between 2007 and 2009.
In truth, this was a complete mis-match – perhaps not a surprise given the financial disparity between the two – as City dominated from almost the first minute to the last.
Ilkay Gundogan put them ahead early on and Phil Foden doubled their advantage on the quarter-hour mark. Erling Haaland got in on the act with his 11th goal of the season after 58 minutes and James McAtee completed the rout with 16 minutes to go.
The win moves City up the Champions League table following their goalless draw at home to Inter on matchday one.
It was Slovan that created the first opening, a swift break from a City corner ending in Tigran Barseghyan flashing a shot just wide of Stefan Ortega’s right-hand post.
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Gundo grabs the opener
But City moved ahead in the eighth minute thanks to Gundogan’s first goal in his second spell at the club.
Guram Kashia headed out Savinho’s shot but the ball fell to Gundogan on the edge of the area and his first-time volley hit Kyriakos Savvidis and flew into the net.
Foden made it 2-0 seven minutes later, taking Jeremy Doku’s pass before cutting inside and placing a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Back in the starting XI ✅
Back with a goal ✅Phil Foden doubles Man City’s lead with a 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 finish!
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 1, 2024
City were flying and only a fine stop from home goalkeeper Dominik Takac prevented Haaland from making it 3-0 after just 17 minutes.
Takac also saved well to deny Rico Lewis before Doku curled the loose ball on to the post.
The woodwork also denied Foden after 26 minutes, his low shot bouncing up in front of Takac who could only palm it on to the post.
And then Gundogan crashed a shot on to the bar as City’s dominance showed no sign of abating.
More of the same after the break
The second half continued in a similar vein. Takac saved well to keep out a Lewis effort before the City youngster was denied a penalty when he appeared to be fouled by Guram Kashia.
Haaland headed wide of the post after 53 minutes but made no mistake five minutes later, running on to Lewis’ pass, rounding Takac and slipping the ball into the empty net.
The Norway striker made way for McAtee after 61 minutes and the 21-year-old crowned a fine night for City with his first goal for the club. Foden slipped the ball into McAtee and he made no mistake with a fine finish.
Boyhood fan James McAtee scores his first goal for Man City!
What dreams are made 💙
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 1, 2024
Takac made good stops from McAtee, Gundogan and substitute Kyle Walker before the home side were finally put out of their misery.
