City’s confidence-booster

MANCHESTER City got their latest Champions League challenge off to a winning start with a convincing 3–0 win over Czech minnows Viktoria Plzen.

Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure and the outstanding Sergio Aguero all struck in the space of 10 minutes early in the second half as City overpowered their first Group ‘D’ opponents at the Doosan Arena.

City weren’t at their most fluid before the break but still went close as Aguero struck the post and Dzeko and Jesus Navas brought good saves out of Matus Kozacik. The win means City, bidding to reach the knock-out stages for the first time after two failures, have already equalled their points tally from last season’s campaign.

It also lifts confidence after a mixed start in the Barclays Premier League and ahead of next Sunday’s derby against rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.