Phil Foden was at his irresistible best as City cruised to a 4-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund.
Foden scored two superb goals - both from distance - and Erling Haaland bagged his 18th City goal of an already incredible campaign.
Anton pulled a goal back on 72 minutes - the only blot on an otherwise sparkling display by the Blues who now sit in fourth in the UCL league phase table.
Rayan Cherki had the final say, drilling a low shot home in added time to make it 4-1.
The game in 250 words
After a spectacular Guy Fawkes’ pre-match lightshow and firework display, City and Dortmund set about creating a spectacle on the pitch.
The visitors began brightly, with an aggressive high press and adventurous formation that initially caused a few nervy moments in the Blues’ defence.
But gradually, City started to take command with Savinho and Jeremy Doku lively down the flanks and Foden pulling the strings in midfield.
And it was Foden who opened the scoring on 22 minutes as he collected a short pass from Tijjani Reijnders, moved towards the edge of the box unchallenged before striking a sweet drive into the bottom left corner from 22 yards.
Nico O’Reilly went close to doubling our lead a few minutes later as he turned on a loose ball but hooked his shot over the bar.
City were unpicking the Dortmund defence at will and on 29 minutes, our lead was doubled.
Doku jinked his way into the box before teeing up Erling Haaland who – of course – finished emphatically from 10 yards out.
And it was the majestic Foden who ended the game as a contest on 57 minutes as he collected another Reijnders pass before expertly curling a low shot past Gregor Kobel to make it 3-0.
Dortmund reduced the arrears through Anton on 72 minutes, but it was too little, too late from the Bundesliga outfit.
Rayan Cherki restored our three-goal advantage a minute into added time with a classy finish from 15 yards/
Line-ups
CITY: Donnarumma, Nunes, Stones, Gvardiol, O’Reilly (Ait-Nouri 86), Nico, Reijnders (Dias 79), Savinho (Bernardo 78), Foden, Doku (Cherki 78), Haaland (Marmoush 86)
Subs: Trafford, Bettinelli, Ake, Marmoush, Ait-Nouri, Khusanov, Bobb, Lewis
BORUSSIA DORTMUND XI: Kobel, Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck (C), Bensebaini (Can 67), Svensson, Sabitzer (Gross 67), Nmecha, Adeyemi (Silva 82), Beier (Chukwuemeka 67), Guirassy (Bellingham 67)
Subs: Ostrzinski, Meyer, Couto,, Anselmino
Attendance: 50,513
Star man: PHIL FODEN
A superb performance from start to finish, our Stockport diamond looks to be back to his very best.
Playing as a No.10, he was the beating heart of a very good City performance and capped his best display of the season with two high quality long range strikes.
So good to see Foden sparkle again.
polished Blues
City continue to power on with another impressive Champions League display.
The Blues controlled the majority of the game, with every player contributing in what was a fairly emphatic win.
Coupled with our Premier League form and a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, last season is already feeling like a distant memory.
City’s ‘joie de vivre’
The freedom and energy this Manchester City side is as refreshing as it is entertaining.
You can see it etched on players’ faces - what the French call a ‘joie de vivre’ - a joy of life.
Erling Haaland has not stopped smiling this season, Rayan Cherki looks like he’s loving life as a City player, Jeremy Doku and Savinho tormented the Dortmund full-backs all night and Nico seems to get more accomplished every game.
But it is, perhaps, the performance of Phil Foden that will excite our supporters the most.
If any footballer epitomises an almost schoolyard energy and love at football at his best, it is it Foden - and that’s how he played against Dortmund (on the back of a terrific display against Bournemouth).
Though a few players have been highlighted above, the enjoyment and belief is evident throughout the squad and it feels like exciting times are ahead again.
Pep reaction
To follow...
Phil your boots! : Foden's opening goal
DOKU reaction
“It was a great night against a good opponent. I think we started well and scored some good goals. The second half was a bit difficult but as a team we are very happy with this victory.
“I enjoyed it. I feel like I can still improve a lot more, in my final passes, in front of goal, but today I enjoyed it and I’m just going to rest now because there is a big game ahead.
“In terms of numbers Erling is unbelievable. Tonight he scored just one goal but he is so much more than goals and assists for us. He provides so much and is so important.”
“Now we have to rest well, recover well and prepare well for Liverpool.”
Opposition view
To follow...
What it means
City have now collected 10 points from a possible 12 in the UCL league phase and sit in fourth position out of 36 teams.
With four more games to come, the Blues look in great health for a top eight finish and automatic Round of 16 spot, thus avoiding a potentially tricky two-legged play-off.
Up next
The games don’t come any easier as City host current Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday 9 November.
The Etihad showpiece kicks off at 16:30 (UK) ahead of the final international break of 2025.
News about Man City v BVB
City 4-1 Borussia Dortmund: Match stats and reaction
Read more