Manchester City vs. Stoke: Score, Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match
Manchester City beat Stoke City 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday as the Sky Blues look to finish their campaign on a high.
Goals from Fernando, Sergio Aguero and two from Kelechi Iheanacho broke the Potters' hearts as they folded in the north-west.
It was one of City's easiest games of the season as Stoke struggled to get to grips with the contest.
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City manager Manuel Pellegrini fielded a strong team despite his side's continued involvement in the UEFA Champions League, as Aguero, David Silva and Yaya Toure started.
Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany were rested by the Sky Blues, taking a place on the subs bench.
A quiet first half-hour of football was punctured by a glancing header from Fernando, whose effort found the corner of the net.
Stoke failed to deal with a corner from Jesus Navas, and the Brazilian midfielder timed his run perfectly to open the scoring.
The hosts made it two shortly before the half-time break, as Aguero coolly slotted home from the penalty spot with ease.
The award was given after Ryan Shawcross hauled down Iheanacho as he played a one-two with Toure in the box.
Opta Joe highlighted the Argentina hitman's recent contribution:
WhoScored.com provided the player ratings and vital stats at half-time, showing City's comfort and dominance in a one-sided affair:
The simple day at the office continued for the Citizens on the hour mark as Iheanacho added his name to the scoresheet to provide City's third.
A strong run by Pablo Zabaleta was rewarded with a tap-in for the striker as the full-back picked out the young prodigy in the box.
Sky Sports Football provided media of the goal:
Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News heaped praise on the burgeoning attacking force and his linkup play after winning a penalty for Aguero's strike and scoring himself:
The youngster's fine day wasn't over, as he added his second of the game 16 minutes from time.
The player expertly rounded substitute goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard and slotted away his effort like an experienced predator to seal the points.
The job was complete for City as Stoke offered no resistance or recourse. Aguero was substituted early to save his legs for the Champions League challenges ahead, and the home crowd responded with appreciation for one of their heroes.
City cruised home for the final 10 minutes as Stoke remained stuck in a lower gear, and the Etihad club appear likely to land a guaranteed top-four berth after a comfortable performance against a poor opponent.
Post-Match Reaction
Both managers offered fitness updates after the match, with Pellegrini assuring fans two key players will be ready for European duty midweek, per Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News:
Having his best centre-back and one of his most resourceful midfielders will be a huge boost for Pellegrini's squad in the semi-final against Real Madrid. He and his players will also take confidence from knowing they have a striker on the bench who can be counted on to enter a game and add goals.
Goalkeeper Joe Hart was particularly impressed with Iheanacho, per the league's official site:
Meanwhile, Stoke boss Mark Hughes confirmed the Potters now have further problems between the sticks. He also offered news on midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, according to the Sentinel's Pete Smith:
The Dutch playmaker suffered a serious knee injury before the game, per Sky Sports (h/t BBC Sport).
But it's onwards and upwards for the Citizens. Now third ahead of Arsenal, although having played a game more, the pressure has eased ahead of the semi-final.
