Europe's greats sit up and take notice as Manchester City qualify in style

Manchester City supporters have waited a long, long time for a really top-level Champions League performance. Europe's biggest clubs had been hoping it would never arrived. On Tuesday night it did, and in some style. It can be easy for fans and pundits to get carried away in victory, but in this case it is difficult to overstate how impressive City actually were.

Too often the Blues have gone into the final weeks of the group stages needing something approaching a miracle. This time they’re through to the last 16 with two games to spare - from the supposed group of death.

From beginning to end at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, every single player was more or less flawless. In fact, we could get the negatives out of the way and cover the disappointing moments in one sentence; Nicolas Otamendi and Jesus Navas left a little to be desired for Benoit Tremoulinas’ goal. They both made up for it over the rest of the night.

Many fans wanted to see a solid, intelligent European display in the build-up to this match and they got their wish. Too open against Sevilla at the Etihad two weeks ago, it was a completely different story here. The midfield trio of Fernando, Fernandinho and Yaya Toure worked perfectly. Not only did they allow a counter-attacking approach, they also helped dictate the play and dominate possession when City needed to control proceedings. All three were imperious but Fernandinho shone brighter than his two accomplices, and indeed everybody else on the pitch. He was everywhere, whether winning the ball in front of the defence or popping up in the box to head home the loose ball.

He has been a consistent performer this season but on Tuesday even some of the more frustrating players were at the top of their game. Jesus Navas, on an emotional night for him back at his boyhood club, had one of his more productive games on the right, setting up Wilfried Bony for the third goal. The Ivorian striker took that goal well, worked the ball impressively and linked up with his wide men and midfielders. Raheem Sterling was often dangerous and got things rolling after just eight minutes with the kind of incisive finish that so many fans want to see on a more regular basis.

The defensive unit, barring that Tremoulinas reply, were as solid as the midfield in front of them and Joe Hart, when called upon, was reliable. One save at 2-1 was both brilliant and vital, and he also played a key role in his side’s third goal, launching the ball forward to Navas on the right.

This was as close as you can get to a complete European away performance.

So what does this mean? Vincent Kompany said before the match that winning the Champions League is the club’s last remaining challenge in proving they are regarded as the real deal on the biggest stage. Performances like this will help no end.

City may not generally be thought of as genuine European contenders, but teams on the continent know that a storm is brewing in Manchester. There is an acceptance that it is a matter of when, and not if, they finally make their mark. On this evidence, that could well be ahead of schedule.

Manuel Pellegrini has for too long been regarded as an inflexible coach whose tactics will only get so far in top-level European competition. But he has shown in recent weeks that he can mix things up when required and if he can get all of the club’s vastly expensive, vastly talented stars working in perfect harmony then clubs across Europe really will be sitting up and taking notice.

No big club wanted to be paired with them when the draw was made back in August and on this evidence nobody will want to be anywhere near them in the knock-out draw.

Indeed, despite losing their opening game to Juventus – which many put down to a lack of European nous – alongside Real Madrid they are the first team to qualify for the next stage.

City have picked up eye-catching victories in the past, but this tops the lot. Beating Bayern Munich 3-2 last season was incredible, but it took the superhuman efforts of Sergio Aguero to down Pep Guardiola’s 10 men. This was the next level.

The target now is to secure top spot from their two remaining games. After that – if they can repeat this type of performance – they can stand toe-to-toe with the very best around. Europe’s finest should watch out.