Manchester City booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a stunning 3-1 Group D triumph at Sevilla.
The patchy nature of City’s 2-1 victory over the same opponents in Manchester two weeks ago prompted renewed talk of Manuel Pellegrini and his team’s shortfalls at elite club level.
But despite record signing Kevin De Bruyne – the matchwinner during the previous meeting between the sides – watching on from the bench, City turned in a thrilling first-half display brimming with creativity and intensity.
The travelling supporters continued their frosty relationship with UEFA by again booing the Champions League anthem before kick-off, but they were roaring with delight soon afterwards as Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho put City 2-0 up inside 11 minutes.
Sevilla were unbowed and vibrantly battled a way back into the contest as Benoit Tremoulinas headed home before Wilfried Bony added City’s third nine minutes prior to half-time.
Juventus’ second consecutive draw against Borussia Monchengladbach means Pellegrini’s men will head to Turin on matchweek five as group leaders aiming to take another significant scalp heading into the knockout rounds.