Manchester City 5-0 Copenhagen
by James Nalton
at City of Manchester Stadium

PEP GUARDIOLA only needed Erling Haaland for one half of football as Manchester City breezed past FC Copenhagen in Wednesday evening’s Champions League clash.

The Norwegian now has 19 goals in 11 appearances in the Premier League and Champions League this season. Despite only playing 45 minutes in his latest outing, he took his record in Europe this season to five goals in three games.

A right-footed shot from a Joao Cancelo cross in the 7th minute was followed up by a poacher’s effort on a rebound from a Kamil Grabara save from Sergio Gomez. His two first-half goals helped City tie this game up quickly.

Gomez was another of the standout performers for Guardiola’s side. His shot from distance five minutes before halftime deflected twice before finding the net, going down as a Davit Khocholava own goal and putting City 3-0 up at the interval.

Haaland was replaced by 20-year-old Cole Palmer, while 19-year-old Josh Wilson-Esbrand and 17-year-old Rico Lewis also saw plenty of minutes in the second half as Guardiola rested Cancelo and Bernardo Silva ahead of the game against Southampton on Saturday.

The subs saw Gomez drop into a midfield position where he and Palmer impressed. Jack Grealish was outstanding down the left, dribbling inside and carrying his team forward. One such run led to the fifth goal, scored by Haaland’s support act Julian Alvarez and assisted by Riyad Mahrez who had scored the fourth from the penalty spot.

Referee Donatas Rumsas played no added time at the end of either half, perhaps acknowledging the one-way nature of this game.

Guardiola admitted he had not planned to withdraw Haaland at halftime, but was able to rest his star striker for upcoming challenges.

"He plays a lot of minutes, the game was under control and Cole Palmer is an excellent player and was looking forward to playing,” said the Catalan boss.

“If the game would have been tight Erling would have continued but it was better to rest him for Southampton, who we weren't able to beat last season.”

City now only need a point to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages, and with another game against Copenhagen to come, progress is all but assured with games to spare.