Manchester City made it three wins out fo three in Group F as they overcame Napoli 2-1 but only after struggling to build on an impressive first half performance.

The clash between the forms teams of Europe proved a somewhat one side affair in the first half, as Napoli are not only unbeaten in Serie A this season but have won all eight of them.

But for the opening 45 minutes at the Etihad Stadium they were just spectators as City played some glorious football, scoring twice, hitting the cross bar and having an effort cleared off the line.

Only after they had missed a penalty did Napoli looked like getting back into the game in the final ten minutes of the half.

City scored twice in the opening 12 minutes. First Raheem Sterling with his fifth goal in five games pounced on a rebound after 9 minutes then 3 minutes later Kevin De Bruyne crossed and Gabriel Jesus was left with the simplest of tasks to convert from close range.

De Bruyne then crashed a shot against the underside of the cross bar before former Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina and defender Kalimdor Koulibaly somehow cleared a Jesus shot from off the line.

With City so in control Napoli were handed a lifeline just before the break when from a corner Kyle Walker wrestled Raul Albiol to the ground for a penalty. Dries Mertens went for power from 12 yards but Emerson saved with his legs. The three tiers of Italian supporters looked devastated.

Napoli began the second half looking more assured as City struggled to assert their authority of the first period. In fact the home crowd were becoming restless as City were getting into trouble of their own making by casually playing the ball out from the back.

They almost paid the price when Napoli won the ball inside the penalty area and Marek Hamsik saw his goal bound shot deflected behind by John Stones with Emerson beaten, the Italian side claiming a penalty for handball.

Napoli then won their second penalty of the night after a driving run by Faouzi Ghoulam was ended by a Fernandinho trip. Amadeus Diawara took the responsibility to reduce the deficit.

Keven De Bruyne almost settled the nerves but his direct free kick was punched away Reina, but it was Napoli who were now looking threatening as the hosts earlier fluency had deserted them.

Now it was the turn of City's defence to be put under the microscope as they restricted Napoli to half chances and the expected late Italian onslaught never materialised even with the addition of five added minutes.

Full Time

Man City : 2 (Sterling 9, Jesus 12

Napoli: 1 (Diawara 73pen