Sergio Aguero fired the visitors ahead before Raheem Sterling crossed for David Silva to tap home the second
Sergio Aguero fired the visitors ahead before Raheem Sterling crossed for David Silva to tap home the second.
Sergei Rebrov's side improved after the break. They pulled one back through Vitaliy Buyalskyi and only the heroics of Joe Hart maintained the visitors' slender advantage.
But Yaya Toure scored a superb late goal from distance to ensure Manuel Pellegrini will still be confident of progressing to the quarter-finals in three weeks' time.
Here are five things we learned:
Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley
1. Pellegrini's FA Cup snub justified
Manuel Pellegrini came in for considerable criticism for his team selection in City's FA Cup fifth-round tie at Chelsea on Sunday.The Chilean made no secret of the fact he would field a young team if forced to play the game on Sunday, and was as good as his word.
Chelsea ran riot, thrashing City's kids 5-1, but Pellegrini's decision has been more than justified this evening.
Disrespectful to the FA Cup? Possibly - but the financial rewards up for grabs in Europe - and City's previous performances in the Champions League - meant the trip to Kiev had to take priority.
Fast forward 72 hours from the Stamford Bridge humbling - and the smile on Pellegrini's face is as wide as the chasm between Chelsea's old guard and City's starlets.
Reuters / Valentyn Ogirenko
2. Aguero such a rarity
For Arsenal fans who watched a flat-footed Olivier Giroud struggle to make any impact in the Champions League last night, the idea of having a striker as ruthless as Aguero must seem like a pipe dream.And it's not like the Gunners couldn't afford a world class striker - they just can't find one. For all Man City's wealth, they should be grateful to have a forward as exceptional, as clinical as the Argentine is.
He is a rare talent. We already knew that, but his stats - 16 goals in his last 17 Champions League starts - emphasise just how rare he is.
Reuters / Valentyn Ogirenko
3. Cut above Yarmolenko needs to move
Linked with a move away from Ukraine for some time now, surely the winger’s time at Dynamo is almost up. If not, for the good of his career, it needs to be.There comes a time when a big fish in a small pond needs to head elsewhere, to really show just how strong he can be; this summer is the time for the 26-year-old to head elsewhere and prove himself.
Following the defections of Alex Teixeira and Yevhen Konoplyanka in the last nine months, Yarmolenko is left as the shining light in the Ukrainian league. But does a light really shine if no one sees it?
Blessed with an imposing physique, good technique, a change of pace and a sledgehammer left foot, he’s a fullbacks nightmare. Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo aren’t without merit.
But against Europe’s elite, where they know that he’s the only man in this Dynamo side who can do something out of the ordinary, he’s invariably double marked whenever he receives possession. In a better side, with teammates more on his wavelength, his creativity would flourish.
Certainly he’ll prove costly. But there’s more than enough, throughout his career with club and country and even on a night where Dynamo were so patently outclassed, to suggest it would be money well spent.
Reuters / Valentyn Ogirenko
4. Otamendi shows his class
After arriving at the Etihad for big money last summer, Nicolas Otamendi has done little to justify his huge price tag.But the Argentine centre-half put in one of his better displays display for City in the bitter cold of the Olympiastadion.
He was unfortunate to see the Dynamo goal come off his hip, but that apart the ex-Valencia man impressed.
Seemingly emboldened by having a fitter Vincent Kompany alongside him, Otamendi was happy to press, engaging Dynamo forwards in and around the halfway line, defending on the front foot. More than once he nicked the ball off a striker’s toes, while he was largely dominant in the air.
Reuters / Valentyn Ogirenko
5. City are as good as through
Just as Barcelona's stars did on Tuesday, City's players will tell themselves they can't relax, that this tie isn't over. The reality, unfortunately for Arsenal and Dynamo Kiev, is that it effectively is.Of course, Kiev could go to the Eithad, score at least three goals and win. But previous trips to England (where they have never won) show that is unlikely.
They needed to take a lead to Manchester, they haven't done that. City have to take the second leg seriously, but a bet against them would be foolhardy.
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Simon Mullock's player ratings
Man City (4-2-3-1)Hart: The England keeper had his early nerves calmed as City took control but produced a superb save late on. Mark: 7.
Sagna: Once again showed why he is keeping out fans' favourite Pablo Zabaleta. Mark: 7.
Kompany: The skipper was a towering presence at the heart of the City defence. Mark: 7.
Otamendi: Looks a different player with his captain alongside him. Mark: 7.
Clichy: Given a tough time by Yarmolemko but stuck to his task. Mark: 6.
Fernando: Gave City a solid defensive platform in midfield that enabled the creative players to do the business. Mark: 7.
Toure: Improved after a sluggish start but lack of concentration cost a goal and he then missed a sitter. Mark: 6.
Fernandinho: Outstanding after being asked to operate in an unfamiliar position wide on the right. Mark: 7.
Silva: The little Spaniard was back to his best in a free role behind Aguero. Mark: 7.
Sterling: Sparked to life by setting up Silva's goal with a brilliant piece of wing play. Mark: 6.
Aguero: Clinical finish to net his 16th goal in his last 17 games - and should have scored more. Mark: 8.
Dynamo Kiev (4-1-4-1): Shovkovskiy 6; Silva 6, Khacheridi 5, Dragovic 5, Vida 6; Rybalka 6; Yarmolenko 7, Garmash 4, Buyalskiy 7, Gonzalez 5, Teodorczyk 5. Subs: Veloso 6 (Garmash 31), Moraes 5 (Teodorczyk 46), Makarenko 5 (Silva 66).
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