FC Copenhagen vs Man City LIVE: Champions League result and final score after Sergio Gomez red card
Copenhagen #Copenhagen
Manchester City were held to a frustrating draw at FC Copenhagen as Pep Guardiola’s side were made to wait to confirm their place in the Champions League knockout stages.
In a game marred by VAR decisions and overturns, City had an opening goal scored by Rodri ruled out for a handball on Riyad Mahrez. City, who rested Erling Haaland, were then awarded a penalty but Mahrez saw his effort from the spot saved.
And there was a further VAR decision that went against City as left back Sergio Gomez was sent off for pulling back a Copenhagen forward on the edge of the box when he was through on goal.
City’s place in the last 16 could still be confirmed tonight, unless Sevilla beat Borussia Dortmund away from home. Follow all the reaction before Champions League coverage continues with Celtic vs RB Leipzig:
Copenhagen vs Man City
RED CARD! 28’ – Sergio Gomez is sent off after denying a goalscoring opportunity to Haraldsson (CPH 0-0 MCI)
SAVED! 25’ – Riyad Mahrez has a penalty stopped by Kamil Grabara (CPH 0-0 MCI)
NO GOAL! 14’ – VAR chalks off City’s opener due to a handball from Mahrez (CPH 0-0 MCI)
GOAL! 11’ – Rodri’s strike from range sends City in front (CPH 0-1 MCI)
City are top of Group G and will qualify for last-16 with victory
Copenhagen: Grabara, Jelert, Lund, Boilesen, Khocholava, Kristiensen, Stamenic, Lerager, Claesson, Daramy, Haraldsson
Man City: Ederson; Cancelo, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish
FC København 0 – 0 Manchester City FC
Full-time: Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:44 , Michael Jones
90+3 mins: There goes the final whistle. Manchester City are held to a point after going down to 10-men in the first half. They were never really in danger of conceding but couldn’t create enough clear chances to get themselves ahead.
City stay top of Group G and remain unbeaten in the Champions League this season. They’re up to 10 points and a draw between Dortmund and Sevilla will send them through to the round of 16.
Story continues
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:39 , Michael Jones
90 mins: There’s going to be three minutes of added time to play. Ilkay Gundogan takes a shot from outside the box and sends it straight down the throat of Kamil Grabara.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:38 , Michael Jones
87 mins: Aymeric Laporte is taken off with Nathan Ake coming on for the final three minutes of the 90. City look like they’re going to take a point out of this game.
That may be enough to secure qualification to the knockouts depending on the result of Borussia Dortmund’s match against Sevilla later on.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:33 , Michael Jones
84 mins: Save! Joao Cancelo brings the ball inside from the left wing before blasting an effort at goal that Kamil Grabara turns wide of the right-hand post!
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:32 , Michael Jones
81 mins: Marko Stamenic is booked for a foul in midfield and will miss the next match for Copenhagen. City flick the ball into the box but the home side manage to clear the danger easily enough.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:30 , Michael Jones
78 mins: Phil Foden has scored five goals in the last three games for Manchester City. If he scores again tonight then he’ll guarantee City a spot in the knockout stages.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:25 , Michael Jones
75 mins: Pep Guardiola has readied a couple of changes with Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden waiting on the sidelines. There’s a break in play after Manuel Akanji took a knock and needed some treatment.
Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne are the two men taken off.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:22 , Michael Jones
72 mins: Chance! Victor Kristiansen slides a lovely ball into the box and curls a pass in behind Ruben Dias. The ball skips over to the far post where Johannesson lunges for the ball but just misses it and it rolls out of play.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:19 , Michael Jones
69 mins: Pep Guardiola may be thinking about making some changes if he wants to still win this game. The quality on the City bench could create a few more chances as this game enters the last 20 minutes.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:18 , Michael Jones
66 mins: Kevin De Bruyne sends a cross into the box but a defender beats Julian Alvarez to it in the air. The visitors then appeal for a penalty from the resultant corner but nothing comes from the incident.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:13 , Michael Jones
63 mins: Manchester City have scored in every game since 13th April which was a 0-0 against Atletico Madrid. That’s a 23 game streak of scoring but it’s looking as though that run is going to end.
Jack Grealish swings a corner into the penalty area and finds Rodri but he can’t control his effort and the ball goes wide of goal.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:08 , Michael Jones
60 mins: Isak Bergmann Johannesson comes on to replace Hakon Arnar Haraldsson for Copenhagen. Half an hour to play in this one and City are being made to work hard after going down to 10-men.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:06 , Michael Jones
57 mins: Close! City attack from the left side with Joao Cancelo pushing high up the pitch. He flicks the ball into the box but it gets nodded out to Alvarez who sends it back to Cancelo.
This time he slides a short pass to Grealish who guides the ball to the byline to match De Bruyne’s run. The midfielder gets to the pass then boots an effort into the near side-netting.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:04 , Michael Jones
54 mins: Khocholava takes out Grealish in the middle of the pitch and gives City a free kick. Grealish has a word with the referee and tells him that he’s been taken out at least four times now and only Valdemar Lund has been given a yellow card.
He’s not very happy out there.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
19:01 , Michael Jones
51 mins: Mohamed Daramy fires a pass across the box and Akanji works it behind for another corner before heading the set piece away too.
City then take over possession and work up the pitch but there’s no way into the penalty area and the attack fizzles out.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:57 , Jack Rathborn
(Action Images via Reuters)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(Manchester City FC via Getty Ima)
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:56 , Michael Jones
48 mins: There hasn’t been any further changes from either manager at half-time. Copenhagen have started the second half well and win themselve a corner after Rodri deflects the ball out of play.
Haraldsson is tasked with taking the set piece but he whips his effort into the side-netting of the goal.
Second half: Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:54 , Michael Jones
Kick off: Copenhagen get the match back underway. Manchester City are guaranteed a spot in the knockout stages if they manage to win tonight but they’ll have to do so with just 10-men.
HT Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:52 , Michael Jones
Copenhagen have kept four consecutive Champions League home clean sheets. The most recent player to net a Champions League away goal against them was Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid in December 2013.
The only club from outside the top five European leagues to have a longer run of successive Champions League home clean sheets is Celtic (six, 2004-2007).
Celtic vs RB Leipzig line-ups
18:47 , Michael Jones
Coming up at the conclusion of this game is Celtic’s match against RB Leipzig. The Scottish side need to win and will be boosted by the return of Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Here’s a look at both line-ups:
Celtic XI: Hart, Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Jenz, Taylor, O’Riley, Hatate, Abada, Haksbanovic, Maeda, Furuhashi
RB Leipzig XI: Blaswich, Simakan, Orban, Gvardiol, Raum, Haidara, Schlager, Szoboszlai, Nkunku, Werner, Andre Silva
HT Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:44 , Michael Jones
Goalless at the break in Copenhagen but Manchester City are down to 10-men. Can they still conjure up a victory from here?
(Action Images via Reuters)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Half-time: Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:38 , Michael Jones
45+5 mins: An entertaining first-half – perhaps for all the wrong reasons – comes to an end with the match goalless. Man City have had a goal disallowed, they’ve missed a penalty and are down to 10-men thanks to Sergio Gomez’s red card.
What will the second half have in store for us?
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:33 , Michael Jones
45+3 mins: Ouch! A Man City corner is curled into the box and Manuel Akanji leaps for the ball shoulder-to-shoulder with Nicolai Boilesen.
The ball goes over both players but as the land Akanji falls onto Boilesen’s right leg and sends the defender down in pain. He gets some treatment from the medical staff and will play on for now.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:31 , Michael Jones
45 mins: Five minutes of stoppage time to be added on at the end of the first half after those three big VAR decisions.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:30 , Michael Jones
43 mins: Despite only having 10-men Manchester City are keeping hold off the ball with relative ease. Julian Alvarez looks for a way into the Copenhagen box and plays a one-two with Ilkay Gundogan but he can’t bring the return pass under control and the home side clear their lines.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:28 , Michael Jones
40 mins: Mohamed Daramy may think that he’s got more of a chance to get past Manuel Akanji rather than Joao Cancelo but as he knocks the ball around the makeshift right-back Akanji holds him off and allows the ball to run out of play for a goal kick.
No joy for the Copenhagen winger.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:23 , Michael Jones
37 mins: Joao Cancelo has been brought over to his natural positoon on the left side with Manuel Akanji pushed over to right-back. Cancelo combines with Grealish to get the ball down the left wing before he whips a cross into the box and sees it nodded away on the far side of the penalty area.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:21 , Michael Jones
34 mins: Pep Guardiola makes a substitution to shore up the back line and Ruben Dias comes on to replace Riyad Mahrez.
It’s not been a great night for Mahrez, his handball chalked off Rodri’s opener, then he missed a penalty and now he’s being hooked before half-time.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:18 , Michael Jones
31 mins: The referee also awards Copenhagen a free kick as Gomez made his foul just outside the penalty area. Haraldsson takes the free kick and boots his shot at goal straight into the wall.
Manuel Akanji with the block for Man City.
RED CARD! Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:16 , Michael Jones
28 mins: More VAR action now. This time it’s a check for a potential red card against Man City’s Sergio Gomez.
Hakon Arnar Haraldsson squeezes ahead of the City left-back on his way into the penalty area and Gomez comes across to stop him. He grabs hold of Haraldsson’s right arm and pulls him back before and tripping up the forward.
After the referee looks at the replay he jogs back onto the pitch and sends Gomez off for denying a goalscoring opportunity. City are down to 10-men!
SAVED! Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:12 , Michael Jones
25 mins: Riyad Mahrez is the man to take the spot kick and guides his left-footed strike over to the left side of the goal. It’s a perfect height of Kamil Grabara to leap to his right and push it well clear of the post!
Great save from the Copenhagen keeper!
Penalty to Man City!
18:11 , Michael Jones
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
24 mins: VAR is called into action once again as a cross strikes the arm of Nicolai Boilesen. The referee takes a look at the monitor and rules that this one is a handball too.
City have the chance to go ahead.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:09 , Michael Jones
20 mins: Kevin De Bruyne shimmies away from a defender and crosses the ball over to Riyad Mahrez. Mahrez heads the down to Rodri but this time the midfielder slices his shot well wide of the target.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:05 , Jack Rathborn
(Manchester City FC via Getty Ima)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:05 , Michael Jones
17 mins: Close! A corner for Copenhagen is fizzed into the box and misses everyone but curls in towards the goal. Ederson sticks out his left-hand and punches the ball out of the six-yard area before it gets cleared proper by Man City.
NO GOAL! Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
18:03 , Michael Jones
14 mins: Rodri’s opener has been chalked off!
There was a VAR check for a potential handball in the build-up to Rodri’s goal and the replays show that the ball brushed off Riyad Mahrez’s right-hand after Cancelo’s cross was cleared.
It was a deliberate handball but according to the new laws anytime the ball touches an attacking players hand in the build-up to a goal it is a handball.
The referee is called over to the monitor and then overturns the goal.
GOAL! Copenhagen 0-1 Man City (Rodri, 11’)⚽️
17:57 , Michael Jones
11 mins: Beautiful strike!
Joao Cancelo curls the ball into the box but it gets headed out of the box. The ball drops down to Riyad Mahrez who turns away from Valdermar Lund and Marko Stamenic.
Mahrez then dinks the ball over to Julian Alvarez who rolls it back to Rodri. He’s 25-yards out from goal and drills a right-footed effort at goal.
The strike is superb and even though Kamil Grabara gets a hand to it he can’t keep it out.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
17:55 , Michael Jones
9 mins: Save! Julian Alvarez is slipped into the left-side of the box and he makes a run in behind the Copenhagen defence. He takes a snapshot across the box but Kamil Grabara drops low and flicks it wide of the far post.
City start to form up for the corner but the referee awards Copenhagen a goal kick instead!
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
17:51 , Michael Jones
6 mins: City’s corner comes to nothing and they’re forced to send the ball all the way back to Ederson in goal.
He looks for his next pass before fully controlling the ball and it rolls away from him before crossing the byline and gifting Copenhagen a corner of their own.
The home side swing the ball into the area but De Bruyne is up highest to work it clear.
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
17:49 , Michael Jones
3 mins: Lovely play from City who send the ball over to Grealish on the left side. He cuts into a more central area before giving it to Riyad Mahrez.
Mahrez floats the ball over to the left wing once more where the ball is brought down by Kevin De Bruyne who curls a left-footed cross into the penalty area and wins City the first corner of the game.
Kick off: Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
17:46 , Michael Jones
Manchester City get the ball rolling in Denmark and work it around the back line before sliding a pass into Kevin De Bruyne. He whips a diagonal ball over to Jack Grealish who miscontrols it on the left wing and puts the ball out of play.
Copenhagen vs Man City
17:43 , Michael Jones
Here come the teams. It’s a full house at the Parken stadium with Manchester City looking to repeat their performance from last week which saw them pump five goals past the Danish side.
Erling Haaland is on the bench but Julian Alvarez is a more than solid replacement and will want to impress tonight.
Kick off is up next…
Guardiola on Haaland
17:41 , Michael Jones
Pep Guardiola says that he didn’t speak with Erling Haaland before dropping him to the bench tonight but added that playing games every three games is stressful on the body and Haaland is being rested this evening.
Speaking about the Norwegian yesterday, Guardiola said: “He is one of the best. I have many very, very good strikers and Erling is one of them,
“He understands quickly and he is a nice guy. He is able to do this for the team, but we need to work together and that has happened. I speak a lot about him, but sometimes I should not have to because the numbers, they do this.”
Copenhagen vs Man City
17:35 , Michael Jones
Copenhagen have only lost one of their 13 home Champions League group games. However, that defeat was to Real Madrid in December 2013 who went on to win the competition that season.
Their last three home matches in the Champions League have finished goalless, the joint-longest such run in the competition – tied with Porto between April and November 2004.
Why ‘perfect’ Manuel Akanji is Manchester City’s best signing of the summer
17:30 , Michael Jones
For all the attention on Erling Haaland, a strange quirk of Manchester City’s ominous start to the Premier League season is that he may not even be their best signing from Borussia Dortmund this summer. After all, taking advantage of a generational talent’s release clause was always a no-brainer, even with competition from practically every elite club in Europe. There was much less fanfare and far fewer suitors for Manuel Akanji.
And yet Akanji’s start to life has suggested that his €17m deadline day arrival could ultimately be considered one of the steals of the season, despite it being a deal that initially felt unnecessary. The 27-year-old became the fifth senior recognised centre-half in Pep Guardiola’s squad at a point when, if anything, reinforcements were needed at full-back. City are certainly short in that department now following Kyle Walker’s groin injury.
Yet after a string of highly impressive displays in his natural position, Akanji showcased another string to his bow in the 4-0 win over Southampton: versatility. Guardiola named the back four that many expected at the Etihad, only in a different order. His preference for having both a left and right-footer at the centre of his defence meant Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias lined up on those respective sides.
Why ‘perfect’ Manuel Akanji is Man City’s best signing of the summer
Erling Haaland: The stats behind Man City striker’s march to Premier League top scorer
17:24 , Michael Jones
Erling Haaland’s march to the Premier League Golden Boot continued as he scored yet again for Manchester City this weekend.
The Norwegian’s goal against Southampton was his 15th in his first nine Premier League games and he leads the field by seven, despite Harry Kane’s flying start with Tottenham.
It appears only injury can stop Haaland winning the top-scorer award and he is already closing on some previous Golden Boot-winning goal tallies, which have been as low as 18 in the past.
Here we look at how soon Haaland could overtake the previous winners of the award, should he remain ever-present and keep up his scoring rate.
The stats behind Erling Haaland’s march to Premier League top scorer
Man City last trip to Copenhagen
17:18 , Michael Jones
Manchester City’s last trip to Copenhagen ended in a 2-2 draw back in the Europa League campaign in 2008/09. Stephen Ireland sent City 2-1 just after the hour mark before Martin Vingaard rescued a point for Copenhagen in stoppage time.
‘We are in a good moment’
17:13 , Michael Jones
Riyad Mahrez says that Manchester City are in good form ahead of tonight’s Champions League tie against FC Copenhagen and puts their winning run down to resilience and consistency.
“We are in a good moment.” said the winger, “To be fair, every season we are in that way. When we have this focus, resilience and this consistency.
“We make it very difficult for our opponents.”
‘Killer in the box’ Erling Haaland has made Man City best in the world
17:07 , Michael Jones
FC Copenhagen’s stand-in captain Viktor Claesson admits stopping Manchester City and the “killer” Erling Haaland is the toughest footballing task he has ever faced.
The Sweden international and his colleagues were unable to halt or even slow City at the Etihad Stadium last week, slumping to a 5-0 defeat in their first of two Champions League clashes.
The reverse Group G fixture takes place in the Danish capital on Tuesday and, although City could make changes, with last-16 qualification not yet finalised Claesson is not expecting the task to get any easier.
Haaland will certainly be relishing the prospect of scoring more goals having already netted 20, including a double against Copenhagen last time round, in just 13 appearances for City this season.
‘Killer in the box’ Erling Haaland has made Man City best in the world
Versatile Cancelo starts again
17:01 , Michael Jones
Erling Haaland’s demotion to the bench tonight means defender João Cancelo is the only outfield player to start every match for Manchester City so far this season.
The 28-year-old will play at right-back this evening despite being a left-back by trade.
“I feel comfortable in both, right and left,” he said following Saturday’s victory over Southampton. “Even if the manager asks me to be a goalkeeper, I can also do it.
“I always try to do my best and try to help the team achieve the targets.”
Haaland starting from the bench
16:56 , Michael Jones
Erling Haaland has started all of Manchester City’s 13 games across all competitions this season and has scored 19 goals in the process but he has to make do with a spot on the bench tonight.
(AFP via Getty Images)
City target last 16
16:51 , Michael Jones
Victory this evening would secure City’s place in the Champions League knockout stages for the tenth season in succession. The last time they reached the last 16 with two group games to spare was in 2020/21.
(Manchester City FC via Getty Ima)
Man City made ‘incredible decision’ with Manuel Akanji, Pep Guardiola claims
16:46 , Michael Jones
Erling Haaland may be commanding the headlines but Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City have also struck gold with their other summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, Manuel Akanji.
The Switzerland international has settled quickly since his deadline-day move to the Etihad Stadium, firstly slotting seamlessly into central defence.
He then showed his versatility with an accomplished performance filling in for the injured Kyle Walker at right-back in Saturday’s 4-0 Premier League stroll against Southampton.
“The club made an incredible decision with him,” said City boss Guardiola.
Man City made ‘incredible decision’ with Manuel Akanji, Pep Guardiola claims
Copenhagen vs Man City team changes
16:40 , Michael Jones
Copenhagen make four changes to the side that lost 5-0 against Manchester City at the Etihad stadium last week. Elias Jelert, Nicolai Boilesen, Valdemar Lund and Hakon Arnar Haraldsson all come into the starting line-up.
Pep Guardiola swaps out quite a few of the personnel from City’s win over Southampton at the weekend. Aymeric Laporte and Sergio Gomez join the defensive line with Ilkay Gundogan joining Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne in midfield. Up top Riyad Mahrez keeps his place but there is no room for Phil Foden or Erling Haaland as Julian Alvarez and Jack Grealish come in.
Copenhagen vs Man City confirmed line-ups
16:35 , Michael Jones
Copenhagen XI: Grabara, Jelert, Lund, Boilesen, Khocholava, Kristiensen, Stamenic, Lerager, Claesson, Daramy, Haraldsson
Man City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez, Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyen, Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish
Copenhagen vs Man City: Team news
16:34 , Jamie Braidwood
Manchester City: Ederson; Cancelo, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Dias, Ake, Haaland, Bernardo, Foden, Palmer, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand
Pep Guardiola coy on whether Erling Haaland will be rested against FC Copenhagen
16:33 , Michael Jones
Pep Guardiola has given no clue as to whether he might rest star striker Erling Haaland in Manchester City’s Champions League clash at FC Copenhagen.
City thrashed the Danish champions 5-0, with Haaland scoring twice, in a one-sided encounter at the Etihad Stadium last week. Guardiola’s side can secure a place in the last 16 with victory in the return fixture at the Parken Stadium on Tuesday.
Yet with a trip to Liverpool to prepare for at the weekend, the City manager could be tempted to rotate his squad.
Pep Guardiola coy on whether Erling Haaland will be rested against FC Copenhagen
Guardiola on rotating his squad
16:28 , Michael Jones
Pep Guardiola says he will decide whether to rest players ahead of tonight’s Champions League fixture against FC Copenhagen and wouldn’t say whethe or not Erling Haaland would start once again.
“I am going to decide what is the team selection,” said the City manager, “I have to speak with the players, physios and doctors and decide what is the best, then we will see.
“It’s true that in the last 25-30 minutes when games are tight, that is when fatigue and the risk of injuries rises. But lately we were lucky to score goals in the first half and at the beginning of the second, then after we can rotate.
“But it’s not just to rest players for fatigue but to involve everyone. I like it when everyone can be involved in the team and play as best as possible and reach the best level.”
Early team news and predicted line-ups
16:24 , Michael Jones
FC Copenhagen’s Akinkunmi Amoo and Zeca miss out again through injury, but the hosts will welcome back Kevin Diks and Victor Kristiansen. The Danish side are waiting on the fitness of Mamoudou Karamoko.
Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips remain out for Manchester City with John Stones likely to sit this one out due to a hamstring problem.
If Guardiola rotates ahead of Liverpool on Sunday, expect to see Jack Grealish, Sergio Gomez and Ilkay Gundogan start.
Predicted line-ups:
Copenhagen XI: Grabara; Diks, Vavro, Khocholava, Kristiansen; Stamenic, Lerager, Claesson; Johannesson, Karamoko, Daramy
Man City XI: Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Ake, Gomez; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Grealish, Haaland, Foden
De Bruyne flourishing for City
16:18 , Michael Jones
Before the start of the season Manchester City were hoping that Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne could create a killer partnership with the Norwegian striker finishing off chances created by the Beligan midfielder.
Haaland’s goalscoring record speaks for itself but equally impressive are De Bruyne’s assist stats. The Belgian has already registered 11 assists across all competitions in 2022/23, just three short of his overall tally last campaign.
De Bruyne has made at least one assist in each of his last six appearances in all competitions, setting up eight goals overall in that time.
(Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola hails sharp-shooting Manchester City after hammering Southampton
16:12 , Michael Jones
Pep Guardiola felt Manchester City’s comfortable victory over Southampton showed further signs the champions are clicking into gear.
City cruised past the struggling Saints 4-0 with Erling Haaland again on the scoresheet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, underlining their considerable strength as they chase a third successive Premier League title.
The victory was not as eye-catching as last week’s stunning 6-3 derby demolition of Manchester United but Guardiola, as after the 5-0 Champions League win over FC Copenhagen, was far more satisfied with the control exerted.
The City manager said: “We are scoring a lot of goals and in the last two games we didn’t concede one shot.”
Pep Guardiola hails sharp-shooting Manchester City after hammering Southampton
Group G standings
16:06 , Michael Jones
Manchester City are cruising through the Champions League group stages having collected a perfect nine points from their opening three matches.
They sit top of Group G three points clear of Borussia Dortmund and are one win away from securing a spot in the knockout stages with two games remaining after tonight’s fixture against FC Copenhagen.
City have scored 11 goals across those three matches and have only conceded once – against Dortmund on matchday two.
Pep Guardiola’s side play nine matches between now and the start of the World Cup in November so if they can sow up qualification tonight the final two group stages matches will provide the boss with the opportunity to rest key players in his squad.
FC Copenhagen vs Manchester City
15:58 , Michael Jones
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action.
First up at 5.45pm Manchester City travel to Denmark to take on FC Copenhagen knowing that victory will secure them a spot in the round of 16. Pep Guardiola’s men hammered Copenhagen 5-0 last week when the Danish side came to the Etihad and the City boss will be hoping for a similarly one-sided affair tonight.
Following the conclusion of this game our focus will move to Glasgow where Celtic host RB Leipzig for an 8pm kick off. The Hoops are bottom of their group after three matches but have put in a few encouraging performances that will give Ange Postecoglou hope that his side can get something out of tonight’s game. They currently have one point from nine but a victory tonight will blow the group wide open and with Shakhtar Donetsk still to visit Celtic Park it could give the Scottish side some impetus to their Champions League campaign.