Manchester City thrashed Dynamo Kiev 3-1 to become the only English side to avoid defeat in the last-16 first leg.
With Chelsea and Arsenal both failing in that regard, the Citizens needed to produce an inspiring performance away from home to spare the blushes of the English League.
And Manuel Pellegrini whose side had lost their last three successive games before now, were at their very best at the NSK Olimpiyskiy, Kiev, Ukraine, on Wednesday evening.
City looks likely to make the last-eight for the first time in their history thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Yaya Toure.
Pellegrini fielded his strongest-possible starting line-up after resting senior players for Sunday’s FA Cup thrashing at Chelsea and Aguero took just 15 minutes to make his mark when he scored his 16th goal in 17 starts in the competition.
Kiev’s last competitive fixture came in the group stage against Maccabi Tel Aviv on December 9 and they were comfortably second-best to City in the first half, who doubled their lead when Silva finished a fine team move.
City were the only side in the last 16 who failed to keep a clean sheet in the group stage, and their defence was breached for the ninth Champions League game in a row when Vitaliy Buyalskiy’s shot deflected in off Nicolas Otamendi.
The visitors remained compact to keep Dynamo’s attack – and Andriy Yarmolenko in particular – largely frustrated, while Joe Hart made a fine late stop to deny Buyalskiy a second and preserve City’s lead.
Toure repaid his goalkeeper’s efforts with a stunning late third goal that will see City head into the return leg at the Etihad Stadium confident of a spot in the last eight.
Speaking after the game, Pellegrini expressed his joy with the outcome while ruling out complacency in the return leg.
“I’m very happy because it is a very good result,” the Chilean said.
“It is not finished but playing away and having a two-goal lead is very good.
“The team played well and had lots of chances. Maybe when it was 2-1 we had moments of doubt, but then we got the third goal.
“Is the tie settled? No, it is important in football to never think it is finished. But to have that third goal gives us more confidence for the second leg.”
City will now host Kiev in the second leg at the Etihad on March 15.
In the day’s other game, PSV and Atletico Madrid settled for a scoreless draw in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
