Dzeko hails ‘perfect start’ for City

FC Viktoria Plzen 0 Man City 3

City were frustrated by the Czech champions in the first half but burst into life after the break with goals from Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero.

The lively Aguero had also hit the post in the first half while Matus Kozacik also made good early saves from Dzeko and Jesus Navas in the Group D encounter.

The result was the perfect start in the competition for City’s new manager Manuel Pellegrini and lifted spirits after a mixed start to the campaign ahead of Sunday’s derby against Manchester United.

“It’s the perfect start,” Dzeko said.

“The last two years we didn’t do that in the first game and now we did. Especially coming away from home, we know it’s always difficult to play away in the Champions League because every team is very strong and Plzen showed in the first half how they can play football. We’re very happy to go home with the three points.”

Holders Bayern Munich will provide a sterner test in their next fixture but City’s challenge is already looking better than last year, when they failed to win a match. City also looked stronger with the return of captain Vincent Kompany from a groin injury.

It took City time to make their mark against a Plzen side unbeaten in 14 games this season but once the deadlock was broken the result was never in doubt.

City started brightly with Navas forcing Kozacik to tip over a powerful shot from the edge of the area.

Dzeko headed another chance over before Jan Koravik missed Plzen’s first serious chance. City had not got into their stride when Aleksandar Kolarov was needlessly booked for handball and Joe Hart had an uneasy moment when he ineffectively punched a free-kick.

Dzeko should have given City the lead after 22 minutes when Kolarov burst down the left and picked him out in the six-yard box but Kozacik saved the Bosnian’s point-blank header.

Aguero went even closer with a firm low drive which struck the upright and Kolarov hit the rebound straight at Kozacik.

City were far from convincing in the first half but continued to create opportunities and Aguero stabbed against the post again, although the whistle had gone for a foul on Kozacik.

Much to Dzeko’s frustration, Aguero shot at Kozacik just before the interval. But the Argentinian was anything but selfish as he set up City’s opener three minutes into the second half, muscling his way past Lukas Hejda and racing clear to square for Dzeko.

The striker, under pressure for his place from Alvaro Negredo, made no mistake with a firm low finish from the edge of the area. Pablo Zabaleta blocked a shot from Kovarik as Plzen tried to respond but City’s goal gave them the impetus they needed and two more followed in quick succession.

Toure doubled the advantage with a sublime effort in the 53rd minute, taking a touch outside the area and then curling a shot into the top corner.

Plzen’s resolve was broken and they conceded again from long range as Aguero took a pass from Navas and turned just inside the area to drive into the bottom corner.

Afterward Toure said the result is a sign of good things to come for City this year. “The last two years were quite disappointing for us, for the fans and for the club,” he said. “It’s important for us to prove to the fans who love Man City that this year is going to be our year. Our most important target is getting through to the second round and showing improvement.”

PLZEN: Kozacik, Rajtoral, Hejda (Hubnik 66), Prochazka, Limbersky, Horava, Horvath, Petrzela, Kolar (Duris 61), Kovarik, Bakos (Tecl 84).

MAN CITY: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Kolarov, Toure (Javi Garcia 80), Fernandinho, Jesus Navas (Milner 67), Aguero, Nasri, Dzeko (Negredo 83).

Ref: Paolo Tagliavento (Italy).