<\/p>\n
Manchester City resumed their Champions League defence with a comfortable 3-1 win at FC Copenhagen on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva netted either side of an unexpected Magnus Mattson equaliser as City dominated a last-16 first leg they could have won far more convincingly.<\/p>\n
Pep Guardiola\u2019s side dominated in every aspect at the Danish capital\u2019s famously atmospheric Parken Stadium and Phil Foden completed a deserved success late on.<\/p>\n
With close to 80 per cent possession, the holders were hardly troubled and will be confident of wrapping up a place in the quarter-finals when the sides meet again in Manchester in three weeks.<\/p>\n
The only real downside for City was the loss of Jack Grealish through injury in the first half.<\/p>\n
Despite having almost complete control, one thing City could not do was silence the home fans.<\/p>\n
As anticipated, Copenhagen\u2019s raucous following produced an intimidating atmosphere and greeted every City attack with loud whistles and even a siren.<\/p>\n
Yet it appeared to have no effect on City, who immediately imposed themselves and should have taken the lead when De Bruyne fluffed a header from a Nathan Ake cross.<\/p>\n
Ruben Dias also forced a save from Kamil Grabara and Ake fired the rebound over, although a raised flag suggested neither might have counted.<\/p>\n
Copenhagen, their rustiness amid Denmark\u2019s long winter break evident, were struggling to live with City and it came as no surprise when De Bruyne hit his 11th-minute opener.<\/p>\n
The Belgian, who has quickly eased back into gear after a long injury lay-off, timed his run onto a Foden pass superbly and finished clinically with a low shot.<\/p>\n
City looked hungry for more and Erling Haaland was inches away from meeting a De Bruyne cross before a Silva ball was deflected onto the woodwork by Denis Vavro.<\/p>\n
City suffered a blow when Grealish, making his first start in six games, was forced off after 21 minutes soon after a challenge from Diogo Goncalves but his replacement Jeremy Doku added more energy to City\u2019s attack.<\/p>\n
Within moments of coming on Doku set up Haaland for what would have been a spectacular goal with a volleyed cross but the Norwegian\u2019s overhead kick flew over.<\/p>\n
City looked capable of running up a huge score but remarkably found themselves level when Ederson gifted the hosts an equaliser on 34 minutes.<\/p>\n
The goalkeeper passed straight to Mohamed Elyounoussi and, although the former Southampton forward\u2019s shot was blocked, debutant Mattson followed up with a fine finish.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cOne small step for man\u2026!\u201d \ud83d\ude80@ErlingHaaland<\/a> \ud83e\udd2f pic.twitter.com\/NpkrGJfkfz<\/a><\/p>\n