Stoke went into the game knowing that a win would take them out of the relegation zone, but City’s quality proved too much on the night as early goals in each half condemned the ‘Potters’ to defeat at the bet365 Stadium.
After a steady start comprising of plenty of City possession the Premier League leaders opened the scoring with 10 minutes gone. Gabriel Jesus did well to hold the ball up before slipping in the returning Raheem Sterling down the right and the England international’s low cross was perfect for David Silva to side foot past Jack Butland to put the visitors ahead.
12 de marzo de 2018
For all City’s possession it was Stoke who were the next to threaten, Badou N’Diaye seeing an effort form the edge of the box deflected just wide after Xherdan Shaqiri had skipped past Oleksandr Zinchenko down the right with a delicious nutmeg.
City continued to monopolise the ball as the half went on but Fernandinho could only blaze over from range after the ball broke to him, whilst Kevin De Bruyne’s inviting free-kick went untouched in the middle.
With just nine minutes until the break Stoke almost equalised in comic fashion as Kyle Walker prodded Butland’s goal kick back towards his own goal, with Ederson having to be alert to race back and tip it over the bar.
There was still time left in the half for one last chance as Fernandinho’s low curler from the edge of the box was turned away by Butland to ensure the hosts only went in a goal behind at the break.
- Killer blow -
It wasn’t to stay that way for long though and just five minutes into the second half City were two goals to the good.
Sterling stole possession back in midfield and the ball was worked to Silva. The Spaniard took Moritz Bauer out of the game with a first-time pass to Jesus and the Brazilian returned the favour, scooping the ball into Silva’s path for him to volley past Butland from six yards for his second of the night.
12 de marzo de 2018
City looked like they might rout their opponents for a brief spell after that second goal as Fernandinho found the side-netting after a lung-bursting run and Sterling was denied by Butland at the near post following some lovely quick feet in the box.
The introduction of Peter Crouch almost paid immediate dividends for Stoke as Bruno Martins Indi hooked a good chance just over within seconds of the veteran striker's arrival
However, there were no real signs of a late Stoke comeback and the visitors wasted further chances to add gloss to the scoreline.
First, Kyle Walker sliced an effort horribly wide after being put in on the overlap by De Bruyne before Sterling was somehow denied by a last-ditch N'Diaye challenge after stealing possession in the aftermath of a drop-ball.
Nevertheless it was a routine victory in the end for City who restore their 16-point lead at the top of the table, whilst Stoke remain in the drop zone in 19th.