Raheem Sterling's Champions League Double Further Proof of His Star Quality

Manchester City produced a stirring second-half fightback to beat Borussia Monchengladbach 4-2 and finish top of their UEFA Champions League group—with Raheem Sterling scoring two goals that turned the game in their favour.

The Blues were 2-1 down at half-time and struggling defensively but recovered in magnificent fashion. As has so often been the case down the years, they did things the hard way but finished with a flourish. 

It’s the first time City have finished top of their group in five attempts, and Manuel Pellegrini will now be hoping for an easier last-16 tie than the ones they have been handed in previous campaigns.

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Possible Round of 16 opponents so far: PSG PSV Benfica 4 more candidates to be determined tomorrow (currently: Roma/Olympiakos/Porto/Gent)

— City Watch (@City_Watch) December 8, 2015"

Sterling, 21, produced one of his best performances in a blue shirt, assisting the opener for David Silva with a glorious backheel before scoring two second-half goals, the second of which was a sublime first-time curling effort.

Substitute Wilfried Bony added a fourth, and with Juventus losing 1-0 to Sevilla, City’s first-place finish in Group D was confirmed.

Sterling’s time at City has been somewhat hit-and-miss thus far, with murmurs of discontent about his inconsistent performances.

However, on his 21st birthday, he delivered a superb performance and made the difference in a big European night—exactly the reason he was signed in the summer. 

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Birthday boy @sterling7 on an unforgettable night at the Etihad. Watch: https://t.co/qLPTMBJ1Nc #cityvbmg #MCFC pic.twitter.com/eu7uQMr7NF

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) December 8, 2015"

He started up front and ran the Gladbach back four ragged with his pace and movement, before moving out to the left in the second half and scoring his double. His runs were a constant threat, as they so often are, and his quality on the ball and the composure he showed in front of goal may silence a few of his doubters.

He already has eight goals for City, and filed alongside his wonderful display away at Sevilla on Matchday 4, this game offers compelling evidence of his potential to be a star.

City have signed Sterling for the long term, and it's doubtful there's a better young, attacking prospect in English football. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

“Yes, it is his birthday, he is 21 years old, and before the game I think that the minimum he has to do was to score two goals and he did it,” Pellegrini said afterwards. “It’s true—I’m not joking—it’s true.

“I think it will be very important for him.”

As for Bony, who came on along with Jesus Navas in a double substitution that helped City turn the screw, he will have benefited hugely from his cameo.

His form has been questionable for some time, but his display away at Stoke City on Saturday was pitiful and quite rightly saw him criticised. 

He assisted Sterling’s second thanks to some excellent play with his back to goal before finishing calmly to wrap things up for the Blues.

City’s football after the break was in stark contrast to their first-half efforts, and Pellegrini feels if his side can reach that level consistently, they can match any side.

“I think that if we play in the way we did in the second half we can play against any team,” he said. “You can win, you can lose, but this is the way we normally work, the way I like to play.

“We played so fast in the first half it was impossible to be accurate in the last third, so it’s very difficult to score a goal. It seems that it’s faster but it’s slower because you are always running behind the ball.

"For me the most important thing—of course, I’m happy we won the group—but for me the most important was that we return to being the team I normally want to see.”

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PELLEGRINI: "It's maybe not the best but It's one of the best (UCL nights for City). We played very well in Sevilla also." #mcfc

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) December 8, 2015"

After drawing Barcelona in the last 16 in the previous two seasons, City now face the prospect of a much easier task being handed to them in Friday's draw. 

It's not been a perfect group stage, but they've made progress and finished top for the first time. It may just be the boost they needed after some poor results in recent weeks. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.