Manchester City 2 Villarreal 0: Pep Guardiola’s side cruises to victory in Spain | OneFootball

Manchester City 2 (Erling Haaland 17′, Bernardo Silva 40′,

Villarreal 0

Manchester City have beaten Villarreal 2-nil tonight at the Estadio de la Ceràmica. Pep Guardiola made four changes to the starting lineup that beat Everton 2-nil last Saturday. Rico Lewis started in midfield, which seems to indicate that Lewis is set to play in midfield rather than at right-back based on Pep Guardiola’s selection for the match at the Estadio de la Ceràmica.

First half

There was barely time to sit down when Manchester City had the first chance of the game in the opening thirty seconds. City surged at the Villarreal defence, and Erling Haaland played a ball wide to Savinho on the right from the edge of the Villarreal penalty area. The Brazilian squared the ball across the penalty area to Jeremy Doku, who saw a tame shot saved by Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Júnior. Two minutes later, Erling Haaland would head a good chance wide from a similar position to that from which he scored against AS Monaco.

Following Manchester City’s fast start to the match, the game looked to have settled into a pattern. Pep Guardiola’s side were dominant in possession, and Villarreal looked to be digging in defensively to set out to hit City on the counter. In possession, City looked to be lining up with a 3-2-5 formation with John Stones stepping up into midfield alongside Nico when City had possession. That stood out over the game’s opening 15 minutes.

Erling Haaland gives Manchester City the lead!!!!!

Manchester City would take the lead in the 17th minute. After a spell of possession on the right, Savinho picked out Rico Lewis, who had made a clever run in behind the Villarreal defence. Lewis cut the ball back across the penalty area, and Erling Haaland was on hand to fire past Luiz Júnior with his right foot to give Pep Guardiola’s side a well-deserved lead.

Villarreal’s first chance of the game came in the 28th minute. Josko Gvardiol gave the ball away with a poor pass just beyond the halfway line, which allowed the hosts to break. It appeared that the Yellow Submarine counterattack had broken down, but Pepe played a simple ball back to Pape Gueye, who received the edge of the City penalty area. Gueye unleashed a stinging left-footed strike at goal that fizzed inches wide of the far post with Gianluigi Donnarumma at full stretch.

After Manchester City dominated the game’s first 30 minutes, Villarreal had a spell of possession until the 37th minute. The Yellow Submarine failed to create any chances of note; however, they were growing into the game.

Manchester City’s captain doubles his team’s lead.

Bernardo Silva would make it 2-nil to City in the 40th minute. Savinho picked out Manchester City’s captain with a quality cross from the right wing. Bernardo Silva was unmarked in the Villarreal penalty area, and he powered a header past Luiz Júnior to double City’s lead. It was a simple goal scored by Pep Guardiola’s side, and the scoreline reflected Manchester City’s dominance of the first half.

Bernardo Silva’s goal would be the last significant moment of the first half. Pep Guardiola’s side had put in a professional performance and were good value for their lead. The performances of Matheus Nunes, John Stones, Nico, Rico Lewis, and Savinho were superb in the first half.

Second half

The first 10 minutes of the second half passed by without any incident of note. Villarreal had spells of possession but couldn’t carve out any openings. City had their moments with a couple of crosses from Savinho being the best that Pep Guardiola’s side could muster. It has to be said that the standard of referees in the Champions League is laughable at times, and tonight’s match was no exception.

Nico had to be substituted in the 56th minute. The Spanish midfielder had picked up a knock on the foot to begin the second half. Mateo Kovacic replaced him in a blow for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Savinho would see a shot saved in the 63rd minute. The Brazilian international drove into the Villarreal area with a clever dribble. He worked himself into a good position, but Luiz Júnior saved his right-footed shot. It was good work by Savinho to get himself into that position. The Brazilian winger was arguably Manchester City’s best player on the pitch up until that point.

Villarreal finally creates an opening.

Gianluigi Donnarumma would make a strong save to deny Pape Gueye in the 70th minute. The chance came after Bernardo Silva gave possession away in a dangerous position. Gueye unleashed a stinging drive which Donnarumma saved comfortably. Moments later, Pepe would head wide from a good position. Villarreal’s chances reminded City that the game wasn’t over.

Pepe would smash a volley over the bar in the 76th minute. Villarreal had a free kick that was initially cleared by the City defence. The ball was played back in, and the ball fell to Pepe at the back post. But the former Arsenal winger blasted his volley over the bar.

Erling Haaland would see a shot saved in the 80th minute. Mateo Kovacic picked out Haaland with a simple ball over the top of the Villarreal defence. Haaland’s powerful right-footed strike was hit straight at Luiz Júnior, who easily saved.

Luiz Júnior would make a good save low down to his left to deny Haaland again three minutes later. The Norwegian international drove at the Villarreal defence and hit a strong shot from the edge of the area. It appeared momentarily that Haaland’s shot would find the back of the net before Luiz Júnior intervened.

Tani Oluwaseyi would thunder a header against the post in the 89th minute. Olywaseyi was left unmarked from a Villarreal corner. His header had Gianluigi Donnarumma stranded but hit the post and stayed out to keep the score at 2-nil.

Oluwaseyi’s header would be the final moment of note from the match. Pep Guardiola’s side picked up a valuable three points with a professional performance. However, they did relax in the game’s final 20 minutes, which allowed Villarreal to have their chances. But the hosts didn’t take any of them, and Manchester City picked up a valuable win.

First thoughts after the final whistle.

Manchester City picked up a clinical 2-nil win tonight at the Estadio de la Ceràmica. Pep Guardiola’s side put in a professional performance until the 70th minute. They contained the hosts for the majority of the match and always looked capable of adding a third goal.

The final 20 minutes saw City relax and Villarreal have their moments. Nothing came of those moments but they were a reminder that City cannot afford to switch off during matches. Manchester City extended their unbeaten run to 9 matches in all competitions and are well placed in the UEFA Champions League league phase table after three games.