Napoli vs Manchester City - as it happened: Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling seal victory for the visitors
Re-live updates from the Champions League
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City will qualify for the Champions League knockout stages if they win at Napoli on Wednesday night.
In an early season where all of the unprecedented five English clubs involved in the competition have achieved admirably – with not a single game being lost – City have perhaps performed most emphatically, winning all three of their games and conceding a single goal.
Although Pep Guardiola’s side were pushed in the first, home leg of this double-header, with Dries Mertens missing a penalty that could have salvaged a point for Napoli, they will remain confident that they can emerge from the cauldron of the Stadio San Paolo with the crucial victory that will guarantee them early passage to the last-16.
The Sky Blues will no doubt take heart from their continued domestic dominance. Despite being pushed hard by a resilient West Brom at the weekend, their fluid attacking football still shows no signs of being stymied and their 3-2 victory extends their unbeaten record to 15, with 14 wins, this season.
Pep Guardiola will also be pleased to have no fresh injury concerns. Eager to get into the knockout rounds at the earliest opportunity, expect the Spaniard to field a strong starting XI this evening.
Indeed, despite their confidence, City will underestimate Napoli at their own peril. Disappointed to not come away from Etihad with at least a draw a fortnight ago, the Partenopei need a win to keep their own hopes of emerging from Group F alive. Following last Sunday’s win over Sassulo, the Italians are cruising at the top of Serie A and will aim to intimidate City into conceding tonight.
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What time does it start?
Napoli vs Manchester City kicks off at 19:45 GMT.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 3 from 19:00. Highlights will be shown at 22:15 on BT Sport 2.
It’s a big game for...
Pepe Reina: The experienced 34-year-old would have been disappointed to concede two in just 20 minutes at the Etihad. Rumoured to have been a transfer target for City in the summer – as an experienced stand-in for Ederson, in place of Claudio Bravo – a confident showing this evening may make this move concrete come January.
Best stat...
844: The amount of passes City completed in their win at West Brom on Saturday – the most ever completed in a Premier League since data started being collected.
Remember when...
A sweet finish from Edinson Cavani after a devastating Napoli counterattack when these two sides met in the group stages in 2011.
Player to watch out for...
Raheem Sterling: Scoring in this fixture at the Etihad a fortnight ago, as well as in last weekend’s triumph at West Brom, the forward now has a tally of 9 competitive goals this season, the highest of any City player.
Past three meetings...
Manchester City 2 (Sterling, Jesus) Napoli 1 (Diawara), Champions League, October 2017
Napoli 2 (Cavani x2) Manchester City 1 (Balotelli), Champions League, November 2011
Manchester City 1 (Kolarov) Napoli 1 (Cavani), Champions League, September 2011
Form guide...
Napoli: WWLDWW
Man City: WWWWDW
Odds...
Napoli: 7/4
Manchester City: 31/21
Draw: 27/10
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
"If Tottenham play like this, every club in Europe will fear them."
Yep, those are the words that came out of Chelsea legend Frank Lampard's mouth just moments ago.
Emre Can reacts to Liverpool's 3-0 win over Maribor
"It was difficult in the first half because they were deep but we got more space in the second half and it was a game where we had to be patient.
"We could do better this season but it is still early. Now we are in a good position in the Champions League and hopefully we will be in the next round."
Quotes from BT Sport
Post-match reaction from Mauricio Pochettino
On the magnitude of the win: "I am very proud of my players. The victory is so important for us, the players, the fans and the club because it's Real Madrid, the best team in the world. It's fantastic to beat them but it's a long way until the end of the season.
"We must enjoy today but we must think about Sunday (against Crystal Palace)."
On Dele Alli's performance, Harry Kane's comeback and Toby Alderweireld's injury: "I think it (Alli's display) was very good. I think it was important for him. It was a very, very good performance. He scored twice. It was important that Harry Kane felt good too. We feel bad about the injury to Toby Alderweireld but when it is a period that you must compete and give your best, it's always tough for the players."
Quotes from BT Sport
Sergio Aguero reacts to becoming Manchester City's all-time top scorer
The Argentine scored his 178th goal for City against Napoli tonight.
"I am very happy for this moment. I am happy because the team helped support me. This moment is one time.
"Napoli are a good team. Away in the Champions League is difficult. I'm happy to win and qualify. Every game, we play the same way."
Quotes from BT Sport
Thanks for joining us on a night that has seen Spurs dismantle the European champions at Wembley, Manchester City hit Serie A leaders Napoli for four on their home turf and Liverpool brush Maribor aside with consummate ease at Anfield.
Join us tomorrow as Everton and Arsenal both return to Europa League action.
Goodnight!
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