On a night of firsts for Manchester City’s English contingent, they could savour one more than the other. Raheem Sterling’s maiden
Champions League hat-trick rendered the first red card of Phil Foden’s career a footnote.
If that was attributable to the folly of youth, Sterling epitomises Pep Guardiola’s perpetual quest for exponential improvement and this was another milestone in his development. His treble was all the more notable as it came in 11 minutes, and he had also set up both of Sergio Agüero’s five-minute double. On the night, as in his time at City, it was quite a turnaround Sterling instigated. Having trailed, City overwhelmed Atalanta to take a five-point lead at the summit of Group C. The knockout stages beckon.