History boys in blue

MANCHESTER City can look forward to the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the first time after hammering CSKA Moscow at the Etihad Stadium last night.

Alvaro Negredo scored a hat-trick and Sergio Aguero struck twice as City overpowered the Russian champions 5-2 in Group ‘D’ to reach the last 16 with two games to spare.

It was an achievement that marked the next step in City’s progression and was one of the minimum requirements for Manuel Pellegrini when he was appointed as manager in the summer.

first step

Pellegrini said: “It’s the first step, but it’s an important step because we couldn’t do this over the last two years.

“So our first target this year was to qualify for the last 16 and we have achieved that.”

City were far too strong for the Russian champions and the result was not in doubt after Aguero hit the opener from the penalty spot in the third minute.

That strike took him clear of Francis Lee as the club’s record scorer in European competition but he was not finished there as he added a second after a brilliant turn and shot after 20 minutes.

It was his 12th in Europe for City and 13th of what is proving a prolific season — but Negredo was not to be outdone.

Aguero turned provider for Negredo’s tap-in on the half-hour and the Spaniard struck again early in the second half after Seydou Doumbia had pulled one back.

Doumbia also scored a penalty in the 71st minute, but City continued to create chances and Negredo netted another to complete his treble in the final minute.
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