Manchester City vs Atalanta LIVE result: Raheem Sterling triples up in Champions League thumping
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Raheem Sterling scored an 11-minute hat-trick and had a hand in all five goals as Manchester City came from behind to thump Italian side Atalanta 5-1 in their Champions League Group C encounter on Tuesday.
Forward Sergio Aguero also scored two in the first half at the City of Manchester Stadium, but England winger Sterling was the star of the show as the home side made it three wins from three to open up a five-point lead at the midway point of the pool.
Atalanta have now lost all three of their group matches in their debut season in the Champions League, but started brightly and had the lead via a Ruslan Malinovsky penalty.
City were ruthless in their response though and drove forward. They finished the game with 10 men after teenager Phil Foden received a second yellow card on 83 minutes.
PA
Here is everything you need to know.
When is it?
Kick-off is at 8pm BST on Tuesday 22nd October.
How can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast on BT Sport 2, with coverage beginning at 7pm.
Subscribers to BT Sport can watch the game online or on mobile via the BT Sport player and BT Sport app.
Team news
Manchester City might welcome back John Stones to their lineup, with the fit again centre half set to reinforce a problem area. He could partner Nicolas Otamendi, who is over the issue that caused him to miss the Crystal Palace game.
Kyle Walker may be available, too, while Fernandinho could be rested after a busy couple of months as emergency cover in central defence. Phil Foden could feature as he presses for more game time.
Predicted line-up
Manchester City: Ederson; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, Benjamin Mendy; Rodri, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva; Riyad Mahrez, Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling.
Odds
Manchester City: 2/9
Draw: 6/1
Atalanta: 12/1
Prediction
Manchester City should have the quality to beat the Italians, but Atalanta are better than their first two Champions League results suggest.
Expect a relatively open game, with Manchester City prevailing 4-2.
Half time: That's the end of a predictably open half of attacking football. Atalanta started excellently and were good value for their lead. But City's response has been typically ruthless. Aguero's double has put them in control and on course for three wins from three in the Champions League.
Atalanta make a double half-time change: Pasalic replaces Masiello and Luis Muriel is on for Gomez.
Manchester City 2-1 Atalanta
47 minutes
Atalanta look to have switched to a back four. They were repeatedly exposed in wide areas late in the first half, so Gasperini has clearly seen fit to change things.
Manchester City 2-1 Atalanta
50 minutes
Mendy tries an ambitious shot from distance which is blocked and falls to an Atalanta player. It allows the visitors to break but this time City get back in numbers and the counter attack comes to nothing.
Manchester City 2-1 Atalanta
51 minutes
Ilicic is picked out in acres of space on the right, but gets his first touch wrong and then inexplicably balloons the ball into the stand behind the goal. A wasted opportunity.
Manchester City 2-1 Atalanta
54 minutes
Some concern for City as Aguero goes down and looks in pain. But he's back on his feet after some attention from the physio. He looks fine to continue.
Manchester City 2-1 Atalanta
55 minutes
The ball drops to De Bruyne on the edge of the box and his deflected shot is turned behind by Gollini.
GOAL! Manchester City 3-1 Atalanta (Sterling)
58 minutes
Brilliant from City! Mahrez sets De Bruyne away down the right and he cuts the ball back for Foden in the middle. The youngster, unselfishly, sets up Sterling who makes no mistake from close range. That probably puts the game beyond Atalanta.
Manchester City 3-1 Atalanta
60 minutes
Ederson has been the best passer on the pitch in the second half. He's playing some remarkably accurate long balls. And City are starting to enjoy themselves now. The visitors look tired and you get the feeling there could be more goals to come.
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