SPORTS: UEFA Champions League - Sevilla 1-3 Manchester City

Sevilla1

Trémoulinas 25′

Sterling 8′Fernandinho 11′Bony 36′

FT 90 +5
HT 1-3

By Jonathan JurejkoBBC Sport

Manchester City secured a place in the Champions League last 16 by tearing apart Group D rivals Sevilla with a blistering attacking display.

Raheem Sterling struck from a tight angle after eight minutes - and Fernandinho's header doubled City's lead just 170 seconds later.

Sevilla hit back through Benoit Tremoulinas' free header, but Wilfried Bony swept in for a 3-1 half-time lead.

City cruised through the second half to progress with two games to spare.

Victory for the Premier League leaders, coupled with Juventus's 1-1 draw at Borussia Monchengladbach in the group's other game, means they have reached the last 16 quicker than in any of their previous four campaigns.

Sevilla could still finish level on points with City, but the Blues would progress because their two wins over the Spanish side gives them a superior head-to-heard record.

Champion form from City

City have struggled in the Champions League over the past four seasons, twice failing to escape the group stage under Roberto Mancini and scraping into the last 16 in each of Manuel Pellegrini's two campaigns.

But their victory in Spain maintained the Chilean's flawless record of reaching the knockout phase while managing City.

Pellegrini's side were rampant in a remarkable first half, cutting apart their Spanish hosts almost at will.

Pellegrini's side qualified for the last 16 after five games in 2013-14 and defeated Roma in their final group game to qualify last season

Sterling finished coolly after he was picked out by Fernandinho's accurate through ball, before the Brazilian headed into an empty net after pouncing on a rebound.

And, after Sevilla gave themselves a lifeline when an unmarked Tremoulinas was picked out at the far post by Coke, Bony swept in Jesus Navas's low cross from the right to restore the two-goal advantage.

Europa League winners Sevilla barely threatened after the break, with Yaya Toure, Bony and Sterling all going close to adding more away goals.

City have been beaten by Barcelona in the last 16 in the past two seasons, but they are now in a strong position to finish as Group D winners, which they will hope will give them a more favourable tie.

Sevilla caught out by City's fast start

City have developed a reputation in recent weeks for pinching dramatic winners, but this victory was based on a lightning start rather than a scrambling finish.

The Blues needed late goals to beat Monchengladbach and Sevilla in their previous two Champions League matches, and to see off Premier League rivals Norwich at the weekend.

Pellegrini sprang a surprise by dropping £55m summer signing Kevin de Bruyne, arguably City's star performer in recent weeks, to the bench.

That may have hinted at a more pragmatic approach, but the Chilean's tactics were far from cautious.

Sevilla had not lost in their previous 10 European home games but had no answer to the pace of Sterling and Navas down the flanks, nor to the power and drive of Fernandinho and Toure.

City had six shots on target in the opening 20 minutes as Sevilla failed to muster one.

The visitors ended the first half with 16 efforts. Only Atletico Madrid have managed more in one half in this season's competition, with 17 against Kazakhstan minnows Astana.

The average positions of City's players (on the right) in the first 20 minutes show how they were quick to spring forward on the attack, with Pellegrini playing Fernandinho (25) in a more advanced midfield role

Better from Bony?

Bony had more shots than any other City player (seven), with only two missing the target (red arrows)

Virtually every club side in European football would struggle to replace Sergio Aguero and City, despite their vast riches, are no different.

In the Argentine talisman's absence through injury, some City fans have not been convinced that £28m signing Bony is an adequate replacement.

The Ivorian had scored five in 24 appearances before the match in Spain, but he responded with an encouraging display.

As well as netting his first Champions League goal, Bony impressed with his link-up play at the focal point of City's counter-attacking set-up.

And he was given a rousing ovation by the travelling supporters when he was replaced in the final five minutes.

Manchester City have been reported to Uefa after fans were heard booing the Champions League anthem against Sevilla last month. The travelling fans did the same ahead of Wednesday's tie - and held up 'Boo' banners

Man of the match - Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling was a constant threat to the Sevilla defence, completing more successful dribbles (seven) and key passes (five) than any other player on the pitch

'We played a fantastic team.'

Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini: "It is important to be qualified two games before the end.

"Now we will still try to qualify in the first position of this group and if we continue playing in this way we will have more chances."

Sevilla coach Unai Emery: "We have played against a fantastic team.

"They were very fast and good at converting their opportunities. Once they scored the first two goals that nullified us. We had our moments but not enough.

"We knew City and Juventus were going to be the favourites in this group, but we know there is still a chance we can get through. The group is still open."

What's next?

A return to Premier League action. Leaders City, ahead of second-placed Arsenal on goal difference, visit bottom side Aston Villa on Sunday.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (1) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)

Sevilla

01 Rico González
23 Andújar Moreno (Ferreira Filho - 56' )
03 Rami
05 Kolodziejczak
02 Trémoulinas
08 Iborra (Krohn-Dehli - 45' )
04 Krychowiak Booked
20 Machín Pérez
19 Banega
22 Konoplyanka
24 Llorente (Immobile - 64' )

Substitutes

07 Krohn-Dehli
10 Reyes
11 Immobile
15 N'Zonzi
18 Escudero
25 Ferreira Filho
31 Soria Solís

Manchester City

01 Hart
03 Sagna
04 Kompany
30 Otamendi
11 Kolarov
06 Fernando
25 Fernandinho (Demichelis - 90' )
15 Jesús Navas
42 Y Touré
07 Sterling (De Bruyne - 73' )
14 Bony (Delph - 86' )

Substitutes

13 Caballero
17 De Bruyne
18 Delph
20 Mangala
22 Clichy
26 Demichelis
62 Barker

Ref: Svein Oddvar Moen

Att: 39,261

MATCH STATS

Shots

1122

On target

211

Corners

Fouls

1011

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full TimeMatch ends, Sevilla 1, Manchester City 3.

90:00+4:09Full time

Full TimeSecond Half ends, Sevilla 1, Manchester City 3.

90:00+3:26

Attempt missed. Adil Rami (Sevilla) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Éver Banega with a cross following a corner.

90:00+3:05

Corner, Sevilla. Conceded by Aleksandar Kolarov.

90:00+1:47

Foul by Ciro Immobile (Sevilla).

90:00+1:47

Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

89:40Substitution

SubstitutionSubstitution, Manchester City. Martín Demichelis replaces Fernandinho because of an injury.