{"id":23555,"date":"2021-10-19T15:42:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-19T19:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23555"},"modified":"2021-10-20T11:46:31","modified_gmt":"2021-10-20T15:46:31","slug":"super-sub-palmer-scores-as-five-star-city-dominate-club-brugge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23555","title":{"rendered":"Super-Sub Palmer Scores As Five-Star City Dominate Club Brugge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Cole Palmer, center, celebrates scoring for City (PA Wire\/PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Teenager Cole Palmer scored a classy goal and Riyad Mahrez struck twice as Manchester City ignited their Champions League campaign with a comfortable 5-1 win over Club Brugge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full-backs Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker were also on target in a one-sided win in Belgium that strengthened City\u2019s position in Group A after defeat to Paris St Germain three weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hans Vanaken claimed a consolation for the hosts late on but City could have won more comfortably, with substitute Raheem Sterling spurning a couple of good opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

City\u2019s victory was as dominant as they come and in 19-year-old academy product Palmer, they may have unearthed another star.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The youngster, who made a brief appearance against Burnley on Saturday and then scored a hat-trick for the under-21 side later that same day, replaced Kevin De Bruyne in the 65th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked every bit as composed as the Belgian playmaker as he took a Sterling pass in his stride and brilliantly beat former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was City\u2019s fourth goal and the game had long been as good as over, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The noisy home fans in the steep bowl-like arena could not be quietened but their team was outclassed from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was also not a distinguished night for the home supporters either. There were loud boos as players of both sides took the knee prior to kick-off and, in further unsavory scenes that could warrant UEFA disciplinary action, bottles were also thrown at Cancelo as he celebrated the opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having drawn with PSG and beaten Leipzig, Brugge had entered the game with confidence but they were fortunate to keep City goalless for as long as 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jack Grealish thought he should have had a penalty early on after a challenge by Clinton Mata, Phil Foden fired a dangerous ball through the box and Eder Balanta almost turned the ball into his own net.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grealish, back in the starting line-up as Sterling again had to make do with a substitute\u2019s role, and Rodri both had goals disallowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

De Bruyne, returning to his native Belgium for a club match for the first time in nine years, forced a save from Mignolet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The opener came as Foden lofted a fine long pass into the box and Cancelo got behind the defense to chest down and neatly flick through Mignolet\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

City doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time after Stanley Nsoki blatantly tripped Mahrez just inside the area. The Algerian stepped up to tuck the spot-kick into the bottom corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dominance continued after the break and Walker got on the scoresheet in the 53rd minute as he drilled a low shot through Mignolet\u2019s arms from a De Bruyne pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

De Bruyne received a great reception from the Brugge fans when he was substituted and Palmer immediately picked up were he left off, finishing after a Sterling break two minutes after coming on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sterling himself hit the side-netting and fluffed another shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

City had their first-choice keeper Ederson back in action but he had nothing to do until having to save a late header from Charles De Ketelaere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain Vanaken followed up with a consolation but City were not done as Mahrez added a fifth from a breakaway.<\/p>\n

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