There was an era when managerial changes in Manchester were confined to the blue half, but on the day Pep Guardiola saw off Ole Gunnar Solskjær, he also claimed the scalp of a rather more decorated coach. Rafael Benítez is the Champions League winner who has now gone six games without a victory. Instead, the Spaniard with the most to celebrate was Rodri, who delivered a stunning strike, and the Liverpool alumnus with much to savour was Raheem Sterling, who was lured to Anfield by the current Everton manager.
Only Lionel Messi and Sergio Agüero have ever scored more for Guardiola than Sterling but City goals had become rarities for the England forward in a 2021 when he has often been out of form and favour. After two in 30 games, though, he has two in as many outings. Guardiola has some way to go to catch Sir Alex Ferguson, who remained in situ while 14 managers on the other side of the Mancunian divide departed, but at least he leapfrogged Jürgen Klopp to reclaim second place in the Premier League table. The calibre of City’s first two goals – Bernardo Silva’s third was less memorable – meant he did so in style. Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar beckon on Wednesday but even they should admire City’s strikes.
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