Manchester City, as has become the norm under Pep Guardiola, were at it straight from the word go and soon had Monchengladbach on the ropes.
The Blues took just nine minutes to take the lead after controlling the play up that point with incisive passing from back to front and the opening goal came when Aleksandar Kolarov drilled in a low cross from the left and who else but Sergio Aguero was first to the ball, beating Yann Sommer from close range – his seventh goal of the season in only his fifth appearance.
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The lead should have been doubled three minutes later when Fernandinho’s threaded pass set Kevin De Bruyne clear.
The Belgian picked out Aguero who in turn moved the ball on to Gundogan whose low shot was saved by Sommer – a tad more power and the German midfielder would have been celebrating a debut goal.