City rout sounds warning to rivals

Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City still has room for improvement after Bernardo Silva's brace inspired a masterful 5-0 rout of Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday.

Guardiola's side produced a swaggering display at the Jose Alvalade Stadium to all but secure its quarterfinal place before the second leg in Manchester on March 9.

Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring and Silva bagged the second before Phil Foden made it three by the 32nd minute.

With City at its imperious best, Portugal forward Silva struck again on his return to his homeland and Raheem Sterling's gem rounded off the demolition after the interval.

City is unbeaten in its last 13 games in all competitions, a hot streak that includes 12 wins.

Sterner tests will await City later in the competition but this was a significant statement of intent that will have been heard all around Europe.

Determined to keep his players grounded, Guardiola said: "The difference between the two teams is not 5-0 but we were so clinical. We punished them.

"We had some simple passes that we lost. Against the top sides in Europe we would be punished.

"We have one more game to be in the quarterfinals and this is what you want. The players know me and the way we work (and) that we can do better. I'm incredibly happy, please don't misunderstand me, but we can do better."

AFP