Erling Haaland fired us ahead before a Tijjani Reijnders brace propelled City to Anglo Palermitan Trophy glory with a 3-0 victory over CFG sister-club Palermo.
[HAPPY HAALAND: Feeling the love.
Match Report
City see off Palermo challenge to win Anglo Palermitan Trophy](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/palermo-anglo-palermitan-trophy-match-report-63890359)
The Anglo Palermitan Trophy clash with fellow CFG side Palermo, who are celebrating 125 years since their inception, began with an incredible pre-match light show and a musical performance from world-renowned singer Rose Villain at the Renzo Barbera stadium, which set the mood for an eagerly anticipated encounter on the pitch.
The hosts almost raced into an early lead but Pietro Ceccaroni’s clever header from an outswinging corner went just wide of James Trafford’s right post.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, skipper on the night Haaland controlled an accurate Rico Lewis pass with his left foot, before sweeping superbly into the bottom corner with his right foot from the edge of the 18-yard box to break the deadlock.
A few minutes before the interval, we almost doubled our lead, but summer-signing Rayan Cherki saw his goal-bound effort expertly cleared off the line.
GET YOUR REIJNDERS SHIRT
With the clock ticking towards the hour mark, the second goal came in wonderful fashion from the right boot of Tijjani Reijnders, whose driven shot found the corner from Savinho’s pass.
The Dutchman then added our third, racing onto Academy star Divine Mukasa’s delicate flick, before stroking into the corner.
Reijnders almost completed a hat-trick in the final moments of the game. but after going around the goalkeeper, he lost his balance and struck into the side-netting.
View the best images from a wonderful evening under the floodlights in Sicily.