BEVERLY HILLS, October 27, (THEWILL) –Â Premier League heavyweights Manchester City made it two wins from two in Europe this season in the UEFA Champions League Group C fixture against Ligue 1 side Marseille away at the Stade Velodrome.
Second-half goals for German central midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and English forward Raheem Sterling added to an early 18th-minute Ferran Torres goal and easily converted Manchester City’s on-the-ball dominance into three key points in Group C, as the Blues ran riot with an energetic comfortable performance.
Pep Guardiola’s men got the result they came for, while Andre Villas-Boas’ hosts were handed a whipping on their own grounds. What will be more concerning for City’s European rivals now will be that they look to be finally back to their best.
The French side proved stubborn in parts at the back but they so rarely threatened going forward that their performance was both a testament to a showcase from the City of old and a display of serious tactical ineptitude.
Villas-Boas will hope he can nip these defensive lapses in the bud before it becomes a defining feature of their season and possibly cost him dearly.
With two losses in Europe now, next week’s clash against Portuguese side Porto, who beat Greek club Olympiacos 2-nil on Tuesday, is very much of the make-or-break variety for the manager. Before that, however, his side have a domestic entanglement at home with Lens to get through.
Likewise, Pep Guardiola goes into the next fixtures aware that another win against Olympiacos next week – to make it three from three – will set his side likely on their way to topping the Group for good. City will be on the road in their next game against Sheffield United in the domestic competition.
