Manchester City have beaten FC Copenhagen 3-1 in tonight’s Champions League last 16 clash at Parken Stadium.
City made it 11 straight wins across all competitions, with Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden all on target for the visitors.
It was a comfortable night in the end for Pep Guardiola’s side, despite Copenhagen finding a shock equaliser midway through the first-half.
City were really good on the ball, and there is now a golden chance to once again reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
Bernardo Silva’s finish was a real highlight, with Ally McCoist describing it as ‘magic’, but there were lots of good moments tonight with several players shining.
City legend Paul Dickov was particularly impressed with John Stones…
Paul Dickov praises John Stones after Manchester City’s win over Copenhagen
There was a lot to admire about City tonight, especially in the final third.
While Erling Haaland was a little quiet, there were fine displays from the likes of Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden.
But City were in total control, and one man who helped City to assert their dominance was John Stones.
Stones played the hybrid role, and used the ball really well tonight. He was a constant option to receive the ball, and he used it pretty much perfectly, with Sofascore data indicating he completed an incredible 85/88 passes (97%).
No player had a higher passing accuracy than this of the players that started the game.
Speaking straight after City’s win, Dickov said: “I thought he was outstanding again. At times he was playing inside right, inside left, he was the one furthest up next to Erling Haaland at times.
“Then he’s dictating play from centre-half. It must be so difficult to set up against this, when you’ve got a player of the quality of John Stones.”
Stones was so good vs Copenhagen, he could be key for City going forward
It was great to see Stones thriving again for City and having such a big impact. He and Rodri just completely controlled that game and Guardiola will have been delighted with what he saw from those two in particular.
It has been a frustrating season so far for £50 million star Stones with the injuries he’s had.
But tonight was a reminder of just how brilliant a footballer he is.
He makes that hybrid role look so easy, when in reality there are so many things you have to do to make it work.
City fans will just hope now that his bad luck with injuries is over for the season and he can kick on.
