Manchester City took command of their round of 16 Champions League tie against Dynamo Kiev by earning a 3-1 first leg lead in the Ukraine.
The Premier League title hopefuls produced a brilliant opening 45 minutes, and were rewarded with goals from Sergio Aguero and David Silva.
The second half was a tighter affair, and the hosts pulled one back through a deflected Vitaliy Buyalsky effort, but City held firm and added a late third courtesy of Yaya Toure that leaves them in total control going back to the Etihad.
City’s whole-hearted performance, amid snow flurries on a cold night, made light of their recent poor form and the controversy over their team selection at Chelsea on Sunday.
City’s success also came in the face of a difficult atmosphere. The stadium was not full but the home fans were highly vocal and it was little wonder the club were so pleased UEFA lifted the order to have the game played behind closed doors.
Atletico Madrid ground out a disciplined 0-0 draw at PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie, although they probably thought they should have won it.
The La Liga side had by far the best of the encounter and PSV spent a quarter of the game with ten men following the second half dismissal of Gaston Pereiro for a second bookable offence.
However, Atletico will still consider themselves strong favourites to progress.
PSV were a surprise last-16 package after knocking out Manchester United at the competition’s group stages.
But Atleti predictably proved a far tougher nut to crack, with Diego Simeone’s 2014 finalists having forged a reputation as one of the best defensive units in Europe.
Atleti had conceded only three goals in six games in winning their Champions League group and goalkeeper Jan Oblak had just one save to make in keeping yet another clean sheet for the Spaniards.
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