A 5-0 win at Cardiff marked Manchester City big day after a disappointing Champions League outing against Ligue 1 side Lyon. It was a perfect response from the defending champions.
Kun Aguero skipped a challenge from his marker to and fired a low cross into the six-yard box. It deflected off Morrison and went wide for a corner that brought no fruits too.
A 24th minute cross by Walker from the left flank found no City layer but Peltier flicked it out to award the visitors a throw-in. City built an attack from the throw-in but Aymeric Laporte’s cross was headed away by Manga.
Sane’s cross in the 26th minute deflected off Peltier onto Manga and the ball finally went over the bar. It was the first very open for City to get an opener as Cardiff full-backs failed to clear properly and almost scored an own goal.
Aguero, fresh from signing a long-term contract, scored in the 36th minute. This is his first away goal this campaign and his 205th career in 300 appearances. The Argentine just tucked the ball past Cardiff goalkeeper Etheridge after Bernado Silva and Ilkay Gundogan combined well before picking the scorer.
A sumptuous header by Silva looped over Etheridge for City’s second after a Sane’s cross from the left flank in the 35th minute. Cardiff was saved by their keeper once more as he blocked Aguero’s low drive who was teed up by Sterling.
Gundogan finally got himself on the scoresheet in the 44th minute when he scored third for City. He played a one-on-one with Sterling on the edge of Cardiff box and finally curled the ball to flew past Etheridge and hit the right top corner.
Ederson made the save to deny the hosts at least a goal when Ward curled a shot towards goal. That was the first time the Brazilian was called to action on a serious note in the 53rd minute.
Etheridge spilt Aguero’s shot and Sane would have made it four but his low header flew just wide to the relief of the Wales sides just two minutes to the hour mark.
Riyadh Mahrez tapped in Gundogan’s low cross in the 64th minute to an almost empty net. He had made way into the pitch to replace top scorer Aguero. It was another classic finish from the title-defending champions. This is the Algerian’s first goal since he joined from Leicester City.
Phil Foden picked Silva on the left who brought the ball down by his chest but his shot hit Ralls. The corner was delivered but nothing to write home.
Mahrez curled another sumptuous ball into the right-hand side of Etheridge and that marked his debut brace for the former Leicester forward. He should thank Sterling for driving in clinically in the built up to his goal.