Champions League: Silva leads Manchester City’s charge towards last eight in rout of Sporting

Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City still have 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 delivered a stunning show at the Jose Alvalade Stadium to all but secure their quarter-final place before the second leg in Manchester on March 9. Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring and Silva bagged the second prior Phil Foden made it three by the 32nd minute. With City at their imperious best, Portugal forward Silva struck again on his homeland and Raheem Sterling’s gem rounded off the demolition after the interval.

Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 13 matches in all competition, a hot streak that now includes 12 victorys.

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 quarter-finals and this is what you want. The players know me and the way we work that we can do better.

“I’m incredibly happy, please don’t misunderstand me, but we can do better.”