Man City 3 – 0 Olympiakos

Manchester City got off to a perfect start to their Champions League campaign when Gabriel Jesus scored on his return in a 3-0 win over Olympiakos at the Etihad.

Ferran Torres scored in his fourth consecutive game in the competition to give Pep Guardiola’s side the lead in the 12th minute, but the match did not evolve into the formality that City’s quick start had promised.

Mathieu Valbuena missed a glorious opportunity to level in the 10th minute of the second period before Jesús came off the bench to settle the match with an unstoppable shot from a tight angle (81).

City added a third when the speculative drive from fellow substitute Joao Cancelo stunned José Sa (90) to cap off a routine victory that retains his record of 100 percent from all three group stage matches before facing Liverpool on Super Domingo, live on Sky sports.

Olympiakos remain third in Group C, while Porto are three points behind City in second place after beating Marseille 3-0 on Tuesday.

How City achieved three wins out of three

Olympiakos entered the game without Kostas Fortounis due to injury and with a dismal record in England, having won only twice in 17 visits, but the most recent of those victories was against Arsenal in the Europa League in February.

City have scored 23 goals this season, 13 fewer than they had this time last year, but there is a growing sense that they are now getting on the road after an unfavorable start. Guardiola’s men look increasingly capable of both steel and silk and led 1-0 at halftime.

The hosts went straight to the front foot and had already threatened through Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne when Torres, starting as a lone striker, put City in a well-deserved lead in 12 minutes.

The goal came when the Spaniard played a good double with De Bruyne and then calmly passed sideways through Sa’s legs.

Even with five changes to the team that beat Sheffield United last Saturday, City were far ahead of their Greek opponents. Olympiakos was in debt to Sa, as he twice put down the inviting crossovers with Raheem Sterling ready to attack both times, but City’s advantage in the interval was slim despite their dominance.

Olympiakos manager Pedro Martins made a double substitution at half-time with Bruma, and the winger on loan from PSV Eindhoven transformed the visitors in the second period.

City, by contrast, were a pedestrian, as their recent lack of avant-garde which has seen them score just four times in their last four Premier League games was again evident.

Foden’s blind pass from Ederson to John Stones while City played from behind was attacked by veteran Valbuena, but the 36-year-old cut off his effort after being surprised by the gift.

By then, Mady Camara had already failed to connect with Valbuena’s corner, but Jesus’ introduction with 22 minutes to go helped City rediscover their focal point, as a second goal duly extinguished any hope of an Olympiakos revival .

Inevitably, De Bryune was involved when the Belgian fed Jesús down the right side of the penalty area. The Brazilian who returned created a meter of space and the great speed of his shot sent the ball away from Sa at his near post and into the roof of the net.

There was still time for a third for a somewhat flatter City despite their 16 attempts, a ninth in three Champions League games in contrast to their recent domestic struggles to find the net, when Cancelo picked up the ball in midfield, he stepped forward and threw a 25- yard kick with his left foot into the corner.

Guardiola: Players need a break before Liverpool

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola saying BT sport: “In the first half we played very well. In the second, we had problems for a few moments, but when we scored the second, it was over.

“We have had three good games, nine points. We need three more points or one more point to qualify. We have five days to get Liverpool back and then the international break.

“They had a chance or two [to equalise]. When we control the way we control, we cannot finish matches, we fight with the second goal, but finally with an incredible goal from Gabriel Jesus and then from Joao Cancelo we won the match.

“John Stones is back, an incredible performance, almost perfect. It’s not easy when you don’t play for a long time.

“The forecast for the next three days says it will be sunny in Manchester. It is rare. We will have tomorrow off. After that, on Friday and Saturday we will prepare for the Liverpool game. But the players need a break.” “

The City Hardens – Opta Statistics

• Since conceding five goals against Leicester, Manchester City have conceded just three goals in their next eight games, while keeping a clean sheet in three consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since September last year.
• Since the start of the 2017-18 season, only Kylian Mbappé (15) has provided more assists than Kevin De Bruyne (14) of Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League.
• Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus has been directly involved in nine goals in his last seven UEFA Champions League appearances (six goals and three assists).

Man of the match – Ferran Torres

Torres tormented the Olympiakos defense, dropping deep and arriving late to the area during another impressive display that included three key passes for his teammates.

Moved to the right after the arrival of Jesús, the 20-year-old returned to his natural position after showing his versatility and capped another spirited display with his third goal in four games, one of five shots, more than any other player.

At 20 years and 248 days, the Spaniard is the third youngest player in the history of the Champions League to score in four consecutive games, behind Kylian Mbappé (18y 120d) and Erling Haaland (19y 107d).

Whats Next?

Manchester City host Liverpool live Sky Sports Premier League Y Sky Sports Main Event from 4pm Super sunday; start at 4.30 pm.

Pep Guardiola’s men continue their Champions League campaign at Olympiakos after the international break on Wednesday 25 November; Kick-off 5.55pm.