Manuel Pellegrini's attacking football seduced on yet another stage on Thursday morning as Manchester City kicked off their pre-season tour of the US with a 4-1 win over Sporting Kansas City.

Ex-Manchester United defender Mikaël Silvestre may have angled a round of embittered remarks at City's 'neglect' of their youth prospects, but the Frenchman was made to eat his words as Iheanacho, 18, and Zuculini, 21, starred in a relentless display. 

And it was Zuculini who fired the blues into a three-minute lead, directing a ferocious volley into the bottom left-hand corner. The Argentine's transfer to the Premier League champions is still to be ratified by the Premier League, but paperwork is expected to be completed this week.

(Bruno Zuculini finishes brilliantly to present City with an early lead)

The hosts responded well and despite being mid-season in the MLS, they began to trouble the inexperience of Pellegrini's side with their energy going forward. On the 30-minute mark, a looping ball into the box was controlled and slotted home by CJ Sapong to give the MLS champions a deserved equaliser. Dedyrck Boyata and Karim Rekik had endeavoured to employ the offside trap, but the American striker was left unmarked. 

But the Premier League champions began to settle into their shape with Fernando guarding the back four and Zuculini marauding forward in Yaya Touré-like style. The blues are expected to employ a 4-2-3-1 formation next term with Fernando and Fernandinho providing a rigid base on which Touré can demonstrate his predatory instincts in attack, but Zuculini's impressive display suggests Manuel Pellegrini has even more talent to choose from in midfield.

With just two minutes left to play in the first half, City were awarded a costless kick on the edge of Sporting KC's eighteen-yard box. Jesús Navas whipped in an enchanting ball that Dedryck Boyata nodded in to restore the visitor's lead.

(Dedryck Boyata is congratulated by Kelechi Iheanacho after heading City back into the lead)

The searing Missouri sun began to restrict the fluidity of play after the break and Scott Sinclair's mazy run into the penalty area was ended illegally by a lazy tackle from Michael Kafari. Aleksandar Kolarov stepped up to slot home the penalty, and with twenty minutes left to play, the blues looked comfortable.

And the result was glazed by composed finish from man-of-the-match Kelechi Iheanacho who met Jesús Navas's cross to claim City a fourth. 

Manchester City play AC Milan in the Guinness International Champions Cup on Sunday 27th July. 

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Adam  Bailey
Freelance journalist. #MCFC reviews, previews, player ratings, news and gossip. Writer for @VAVEL. Contribute to @FourFourTweet