Manchester City have gotten their Premier League campaign off the perfect start at Arsenal, going into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The stage was set for a taut opening game at The Emirates with both sides keen not to lose following wins for Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham over the weekend.
However any tension was lifted after just 14 minutes when Raheem Sterling, who was given the nod ahead of Leroy Sane to start for Pep Guardiola’s side, danced past four Arsenal defenders on the edge of the box before slamming the ball into the bottom corner to open the scoring.
City came close again soon after through defender Aymeric Laporte and Sergio Aguero, however were denied on both occasions by Arsenal keeper Petr Cech.
Sterling endured a difficult summer at the World Cup with England, where his performances in Russia came under heavy criticism from both fans and pundits, despite him playing almost every game as the Three Lions reached the semi-finals for only the third time in their history.
However any such critics have been swiftly silenced in North London today. Sterling is back, and he means business …
England crush Sterling's ability, there I said it. pic.twitter.com/tLIuYEjAYs
— Wedgeman Simon (@miniminter) August 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/Top5Gol/status/1028661968994009091
Superb from Sterling, kept running across, beating Bellerin and Guendouzi and then picked the right moment, and drove the ball in. 1-0 #mcfc
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/city_kenton/status/1028654307082756096
Man City in front at Arsenal! Sterling with a beauty.
Champions playing like Champions
— Thierry Nyann 🇬🇭 (@nyannthierry) August 12, 2018
Heard you don't rate Sterling
— Steven (@StevenMcinerney) August 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/adambailey__/status/1028661312669315072
Raheem Sterling under Guardiola is different gravy man. Absolute levels.
— Noz Ahmed (@NozAhmed) August 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/lgbtqfc/status/1028661848256770049