Manchester City book their place in Champions League last 16 after 3-1 victory over Sevilla

MANCHESTER City are in the last 16 of the Champions League with two games to spare after a convincing win against Sevilla in Spain.

Raheem Sterling opened City´s account with an eight minute goal and made his way through Sevilla´s defence to put Fernandinho in for a second score in the eleventh minute.

Sevilla, who had won all 10 of their previous home games in Europe, came back into the game with a Benoit Tremoulinas header which found the back of the net.

Wilfried Bony made it three for City before half time and the visitors finished the match with a 3-1 win and a good chance of finishing top of the group and playing a group runner up in the knockouts.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “It is very important to qualify for the next stage, now we will try to qualify in first position. I’m happy with the way we played, we scored three goals, missed three or four clear chances, and defended well.

“We played a complete game. Physically, technically, tactically. We defended very well, we had good possession of the ball, we scored three goals and we missed five clear chances,” he added.

Vincent Kompany summed up the atmosphere in the camp after the match:

 “The first feeling is ‘finally’. It’s a difficult group and to qualify with two games to spare is an incredible achievement. We now have to try to finish first in the group.”