Erling Haaland scored for the 12th consecutive game as Manchester City beat Villarreal 2-0 in the Champions League, with Rico Lewis and Savinho starring in a comfortable away win.
Manchester City made light work of Villarreal with a 2-0 win in Spain to secure their first Champions League away victory in over a year. Haaland and Bernardo Silva were on target as Pep Guardiola’s men moved to seven points in the League Phase.
Player ratings:
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7: Had little to do but produced a superb flying save to deny Pape Gueye late on.
Matheus Nunes – 7: Combined well with Savinho on the right and stayed alert defensively throughout.
Ruben Dias – 6: Rarely troubled but stood firm when Villarreal applied late pressure.
John Stones – 7: Dominated possession and carried the ball confidently into midfield.
Josko Gvardiol – 5: Looked shaky and misplaced a few passes, drawing Guardiola’s ire.
Nico Gonzalez – 7: Controlled play in Rodri’s absence but was forced off injured in the second half.
Rico Lewis – 8: Outstanding; dictated tempo, created Haaland’s opener, and ran the show from midfield.
Bernardo Silva – 7: Scored City’s second and knitted attacks together with composure and energy.
Savinho – 8: Electric in the first half; set up Bernardo’s header and tormented Villarreal’s defence.
Erling Haaland – 8: Scored once and could have had more; his movement and finishing were relentless.
Jeremy Doku – 7: Threatened early on and linked play effectively from the left.
Substitutes:
Mateo Kovacic – 5: Couldn’t influence the tempo after coming on.
Tijjani Reijnders – 6: Combined neatly with Haaland and added fresh legs in midfield.
Oscar Bobb – 6: Energetic cameo, created one half-chance for Reijnders.
Omar Marmoush – N/A: Late substitute, first appearance since August.
Rayan Cherki – N/A: Introduced in the closing minutes.