3 takeaways from Manchester City's win over Sevilla: No Aguero, no problem

Manchester City rushed to an early lead against Sevilla and secured a spot in the knockout round of the Champions League with a 3-1 win on Tuesday.

City wasted no time attacking Sevilla, peppering six shots on target in the opening 15 minutes. Two of those were converted: Raheem Sterling broke free of the defence on the first, and Fernandinho headed in a rebound for the second.

Sevilla cut the deficit in half in the 25th minute, with full-back Benoit Tremoulinas nodding in his own header.

But that was the closest the struggling La Liga club would come to victory. Wilfried Bony added a third goal for City, finishing off an easy pass from teammate Jesus Navas in the 36th minute.

The result leaves Sevilla in third place in Group D, and the Spanish outfit must win at least one of its final two Champions League matches if it wants a shot at qualifying for the knockout round.

City moves up to first with nine points, thanks in part to the 1-1 draw between Borussia Monchengladbach and Juventus. It cannot finish lower than second in the group.

Here are three takeaways from City's clincher:

City doing well enough without Aguero, David Silva

Since the fateful international break in October that saw both Sergio Aguero and David Silva injured, City has not lost any of its six matches. It's an impressive run for a team which has dealt with several ailments.

But the Citizens came together on this night to produce one of its finest away performances in the Champions League. Not only was it their first victory in Spain since the 3-0 defeat of Villarreal in 2011, but it became the only club to score three times at Sevilla in European competition, excluding qualifying rounds, according to Opta.

The first half was irresistible. City didn't need the bulk of possession to do lasting damage; a swift counterattack was enough.

City's midfielders overran Sevilla, with Fernando closing gaps, keeping shape and allowing his more offensive partners - Fernandinho, Navas, and Yaya Toure - to move freely.

"We took good advantage of the space they left us in the opening minutes because of the speed we have in attack," Navas told reporters following the contest.

Kevin De Bruyne didn't start the match, and it didn't matter. That says everything.

Clean sheets still hard to come by

Despite the overwhelming win, City still allowed a cheap goal, coming against the run of play. Sevilla captain Coke ran into the box and set up Tremoulinas for an easy header.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart had to make another big save later in the first half, denying a clear header from Timothee Kolodziejczak.

City, in general, has failed to take full responsibility at the back, managing just a single clean sheet in its past 12 matches, including this one.

Most of those featured just a single goal allowed, a nagging reminder of past collapses, if nothing else.

Sterling emerging as protagonist

Raheem Sterling had no problems finding space behind the Sevilla defenders. He dispatched the opening strike off his weaker left foot, but it was a smart finish past goalkeeper Sergio Rico.

Sterling now has seven goals in 15 appearances in all competitions this season. The 20-year-old also became the youngest player to score for City in the Champions League.

But his movement was the highlight of the night. Sterling posted a 93.3 per cent passing rate and ran Sevilla ragged. He laid off the ball and opened up lanes for himself.

He earned applause from the home fans as he came off the field, and rightfully so.