Andriy Shevchenko and Oleh Gusev struck as Dynamo Kiev established a two-goal advantage against Manchester City in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie.
Shevchenko showed he has lost none of his predatory sharpness by turning in Andriy Yarmolenko’s inviting cross on 25 minutes. Then, Manchester City were enjoying their most promising period of the night when Gusev doubled the hosts’ lead 13 minutes from time. The Ukrainian team may never have won in England, but that will be of little concern ahead of the return match in seven days’ time.
Dynamo keeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy had to be quick off his goal line early on to prevent Micah Richards from reaching a threaded pass from David Silva. Before that, Aleksandar Kolarov had delivered a dangerous low ball across the face of the home goal during what was a purposeful start from the English side.
That soon subsided, however, and after Kolarov fired at Shovkovskiy, Dynamo grew into, and began to control, a game which had a decent ebb and flow to it despite the sub-zero temperatures in Kiev. Dynamo had seen little of the City goal until they took the lead through Shevchenko’s 67th strike in UEFA competition, the former Chelsea striker beating goalkeeper Joe Hart to Yarmolenko’s teasing left-wing delivery.
The half ended with attempts from the influential Shevchenko and Artem Milevskiy, while after the break Kolarov’s effort was destined for the top corner but for the head of a Dynamo defender. Only the fingertips of Shovkovskiy then prevented Yaya Touré’s measured effort from nestling in the bottom corner.
Joleon Lescott was next to threaten with a shot from the edge of the box as Roberto Mancini’s men started to gain the upper hand. Silva, however, was unable to turn in Pablo Zabaleta’s centre when well placed, a miss which proved costly as Gusev rifled in what could be a crucial second.
