Manchester City have moved to the brink of qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League with a 6-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday evening.
Gabriel Jesus netted a hat-trick for the home side, with two efforts coming from the penalty spot and a delicate chip from long range completing his treble.
David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez also got on the scoresheet as Pep Guardiola's side were left requiring one point from their remaining two matches in Group F to earn a place in the knockout stages.
Find out how all of the action unfolded at the Etihad Stadium courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
7.00pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Champions League encounter between Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk. The two clubs have endured different starts to the group stages, but both teams can still qualify for the last 16.
7.02pmThe team news is out at the Etihad Stadium so without further ado, let's take a look at the two sides...
7.04pmMANCHESTER CITY XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko; Fernandinho, Silva; Mahrez, Bernardo, Sterling; Jesus
MANCHESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Muric, Danilo, Gundogan, Aguero, Delph, Sane, Otamendi
7.06pmWe will move onto the Shakhtar team news in a little while but for now, let's take a look at City as Pep Guardiola opts to make a number of changes to his team. The most notable alteration comes in attack with Gabriel Jesus being drafted into the starting lineup in place of Sergio Aguero.
7.08pmThere is also no Vincent Kompany this evening. The club skipper had been expected to start after his appearance from the bench against Southampton, but Guardiola instead opts for John Stones and Aymeric Laporte with Nicolas Otamendi returning from injury on the bench.
7.10pmKyle Walker has been given the nod over Danilo at right-back, while Oleksandr Zinchenko has been preferred to Benjamin Mendy on the opposite side of the backline. Zinchenko is a Ukraine international, but has never represented a domestic-based club.
7.12pmFernandinho is also due a rest but the Brazil international was probably keen to line up against his former team. Fabian Delph and Ilkay Gundogan are options among the replacements, with the latter making his return to the squad after five weeks out with a hamstring problem.
7.14pmRiyad Mahrez - as expected - comes into the starting lineup, but Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling retain their places in the team. Leroy Sane has to make do with a spot on the bench, but Phil Foden is not involved this evening.
7.16pmSHAKHTAR DONETSK XI: Pyatov; Bolbat, Kryvtsov, Rakitskiy, Ismaily, Stepanenko, Matviyenko, Kovalenko, Maycon, Taison, Junior Moraes
SHAKHTAR DONETSK SUBSTITUTES: Shevchenko, Butko, Khotcholava, Kayode, Dentinho, Lourenco, Nem
7.18pmAs for Shakhtar, Paulo Fonseca has decided to hand a starting role to Viktor Kovalenko. The playmaker came off the bench to net the winning goal against Dynamo Kiev at the weekend, and the 22-year-old is rewarded with a recall for tonight's game.
7.20pmJunior Moraes has been given the responsibility of leading Shakhtar's attack this evening having enjoyed a terrific start to the campaign. The 31-year-old has already contributed 13 goals from 18 appearances in all competitions.
7.22pmA former Manchester City player will take his place on the bench. Olarenwaju Kayode never made a single first-team appearance for the English giants, but the Nigeria international bagged himself a transfer to Shakhtar after a successful loan period.
7.25pmIt's been a month and a half since City last played a Champions League fixture in front of their own supporters, but it looks like they are looking forward to it...
Buzzing for tonight! ⚽️ #mancity pic.twitter.com/ZlMSlrBeL9
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 7, 2018
7.26pmCity went down 2-1 to Lyon in their first encounter and there were fears that Pep Guardiola's side would not be able to handle the tag of tournament favourites. However, that appears to have sharpened their focus with wins having being recorded at Hoffenheim and Shakhtar to leave the Premier League champions at the top of the group.
7.28pmShakhtar were comprehensively beaten by City two weeks ago, but the Ukrainian side managed to claim 2-2 draws against Hoffenheim and Lyon. However, it has still left Paulo Fonseca's team at the bottom of the group, four points adrift of City.
7.30pmThat all means that City can qualify for at least the Europa League with three points this evening. City can also earn a place in the last 16 of the Champions League if they can emerge victorious and Lyon get the better of Hoffenheim.
7.32pmThe build-up to this match has been dominated by matters off the pitch with an investigation suggesting that City have not played by the rules with regards to FFP. Click here to read the latest.
7.34pmCity also have the derby with Manchester United coming up at the weekend, but Guardiola has done his best to try to convince everyone that he is only focused on tonight's match. Click here to read the Spaniard's thoughts.
7.36pmThe North-West giants have put together a 10-match unbeaten streak since their defeat to Lyon. It has been an impressive turnaround with just two goals being conceded during that period.
7.38pmThe goals have also started to flow with 29 strikes coming from those 10 matches. It's effectively 28 goals from seven outings due to a goalless draw with Liverpool and a 1-0 success against Tottenham Hotspur.
7.40pmGuardiola has been making full use of his squad in this competition. As many as 19 different players have been given minutes, with just five starting all three fixtures.
7.42pmShakhtar have made the trip to England in good form themselves. Their only defeat since August 3 came against City, with 11 wins and three draws coming from 15 outings.
7.44pmFonseca's side are also coming off the back of a comeback victory against rivals Dynamo Kiev. It is a result which has given Shakhtar an eight-point advantage over Dynamo at the top of the league standings.
7.46pmPREDICTION! City had few problems in seeing off Shakhtar in front of their own supporters last month, and we feel that it will be a similar story tonight. Guardiola's team are beginning to play with a swagger again, and this should prove to be a comfortable 90 minutes. City to prevail by a 3-0 scoreline.
7.48pmHEAD TO HEAD! Wednesday's fixture will represent the third competitive meeting between the clubs, with City registering two wins and Shakhtar claiming victory in the other match.
7.50pmAll three games have taken place since September 2017, with the home team prevailing in each of the two group stage contests last season.
7.52pmThe corresponding encounter in the last campaign ended in a 2-0 triumph for City, with Kevin De Bruyne and Sterling getting on the scoresheet. Sterling is yet to score in this season's Champions League, so the Englishman will be hoping for a repeat of the game from last September.
7.54pmA reminder that we are also providing coverage of two other matches this evening. Juventus are playing host to Manchester United in Turin, while Real Madrid have made the trip to Czech Republic to face Viktoria Plzen.
7.56pmIt's time for the two teams to start making their way out at the Etihad Stadium. We are far from full to capacity, but I'm sure that both sets of supporters will make plenty of noise for what is an important fixture in the context of this group.
7.58pmA reminder of the two starting lineups...
MANCHESTER CITY XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko; Fernandinho, Silva; Mahrez, Bernardo, Sterling; Jesus
SHAKHTAR DONETSK XI: Pyatov; Matviyenko, Kryvtsov, Rakitskiy, Ismaily; Stepanenko, Maycon; Taison, Kovalenko, Bolbat; Junior Moraes
1 minKICKOFF: Shakhtar get us underway!
3 minThe visitors are already showing confidence on the ball with passes being sprayed about in their own half. However, they cannot afford to overplay things with City happy to press the defence.
5 minShakhtar are defending in packs, and adopting a similar approach when they have the ball. That could prove effective in the short term, but they are already finding themselves too deep and with few options when in possession.
7 minWe are yet to see a shot from either side, but this has been a competitive start. Shakhtar remain structured and City are - so far- struggling to find a way into the final third.
9 minBernardo Silva tries to get himself down the right flank but he is immediately followed by two Shakhtar players. The Portuguese still manages to play the ball to Mahrez who wins a corner, but the resulting set piece comes to nothing.
10 minSHOT! Shakhtar get the first shot on goal with Moraes latching onto a through-ball and firing low towards the far corner, but Ederson is able to claim at the second attempt.
11 minSHOT! Back come City as Zinchenko whips a fine cross into the box which finds Jesus, but the forward can only head tamely at Pyatov.
13 minGOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (David Silva)
13 minCity take the lead at the Etihad Stadium. Mahrez does brilliantly down the right-hand side of the penalty area - although the Algerian is given far too much time and space - and the ball is drilled low into the six-yard box where David Silva taps home from close range.
15 minThat effort could open the floodgates here. It's perhaps too early to fully judge the game, but Shakhtar are now going to have to commit more men forward.
17 minSHOT! This would have been some goal. Bernardo Silva nutmegs a player on the edge of the penalty area before attempting to curl the ball into the far corner from 25 yards, but Pyatov comfortably deals with the effort.
19 minCity have barely got out of first gear but they are already starting to outclass their opponents. A second goal only feels a matter of time.
21 minZinchenko rejected the chance to leave City in the summer and you can see why. The left-back really looks at home in this team and has arguably been the best player on the pitch. It's just his fourth outing of the campaign.
23 minMore of the same from City who are being allowed to pass the ball about on the halfway line without much pressure from the visitors.
24 minPENALTY! Oh my word. City have a penalty and it is all because Sterling has kicked the floor and gone to ground! The chasing defender is a yard behind him and has made no contact whatsoever!
24 minGOAL! Manchester City 2-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (Gabriel Jesus)
24 minJesus steps up and places the ball to Pyatov's right, with the goalkeeper diving the other way. That may be game over already...
26 minLATEST! Lyon have taken the lead against Hoffenheim with Fekir getting the goal. If the scores stay the same, City are through to the last 16.
27 minCHANCE! Credit to Shakhtar. They go straight onto the front foot and Bolbat should pull a goal back after receiving the ball by the penalty spot, but a half-volley is directed well over the crossbar.
29 minIt has all calmed down a little now, and you could hear a pin drop at the Etihad Stadium. The home supporters know that their team are relatively comfortable here.
31 minIt should be three. Jesus is played through on goal and has all the time in the world, but the Brazilian tries to be too precise and a defender gets back to make the challenge.
33 minLATEST! Lyon have scored a second against Hoffenheim. It's looking increasingly likely that City are going to have a top-two spot wrapped up with two matches to spare.
35 minThe first 35 minutes have flown by! There's already an exhibition feel to this contest but if Shakhtar can halve the deficit before the break, maybe they can still salvage something from this match.
37 minIn all fairness to Shakhtar, they are causing City problems when they feel brave enough to commit men forward, but it has not been a regular occurrence.
39 minBetter from the visitors who press City into the corner and force the hosts into a mistake. It doesn't come to nothing, but it is at least a show of intent.
41 minSHOT! Taison is given space to run into and the Brazilian eventually sets up Kovalenko from distance, but the fellow playmaker can only fire the ball well over the crossbar.
44 minSHOT! City revert to trying to take the sting out of the game before quickening the pace of their attack. It leads to a long-range Bernardo Silva effort which is deflected marginally over the crossbar.
45 minHALF TIME: Manchester City 2-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
8.49pmThe half-time whistle goes at the Etihad Stadium and City lead thanks to goals from David Silva and Jesus. Shakhtar have had a couple of bright moments, but City are fully deserving of their clear advantage at the break.
8.53pmThe opener came through the good work of Mahrez. The playmaker took his time in deceiving a couple of Shakhtar players on the right-hand side of the penalty area before serving the ball on a plate for David Silva, who could not miss from six yards out.
8.56pmThe second goal was much more controversial. A penalty was awarded when Sterling went down but Mykola Matvyenko made no contact with the Englishman, who tripped up over his own foot. Matvyenko and goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov understandably looked completely bemused, but Jesus made no mistake from the spot.
9.00pmThe two teams have made their way back out at the Etihad Stadium. Neither side have made a change.
46 minKICKOFF: City get us back underway.
48 minIt has been a very subdued start to the second half. City aren't likely to force the pace unless Shakhtar are prepared to commit more men forward.
49 minGOAL! Manchester City 3-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (Raheem Sterling)
49 minIt's definitely game over now. Sterling accelerates from two Shakhtar players and after running towards the edge of the penalty area, the winger curls a delightful effort into the far corner from 20 yards out.
51 minIt's simply a case of how many will City score from here onwards. Shakhtar are beginning to look disinterested and disillusioned.
53 minI don't think Ederson has touched the ball since the restart, which should tell you everything that you need to know about how the game is panning out right now. It's a good chance for Guardiola to hand some minutes to Otamendi and Gundogan.
55 minCity have had a couple of appeals for a penalty over the past 10 minutes, but the referee looks reluctant to entertain gifting the home side another spot kick after the incident in the first half.
57 minShakhtar are starting to show a bit more ambition in the final third, but nothing is coming from their attacks. It feels a bit like damage limitation for the visitors from here.
59 minCity launch a counter-attack through David Silva and the playmaker has three teammates in support. However, the Spaniard's final pass is poor and under-hit. It's not often that you can say that!
61 minSUBSTITUTION! City make their first change as Danilo is introduced into the action in place of Walker.
63 minThe home side continue to probe for a fourth and only a well-timed header from a defender prevents Jesus from getting a header on target from around 10 yards out.
63 minSUBSTITUTION! Shakhtar's first change sees the introduction of former City player Kayode, who comes on for Moraes.
64 minSUBSTITUTION! Shakhtar's first change sees the introduction of former City player Kayode, who comes on for Moraes.
66 minShakhtar manage to win a corner after Ismaily gets down the left and hits a cross at Danilo, but the resulting set piece does not beat the first man.
67 minSHOT! Taison has not seen much of the ball this evening and he decides to take his chance to shoot from distance. However, a 30-yard effort is always swerving well wide of the far post.
69 minLATEST! Hoffenheim have managed to pull a goal back against Lyon, so it is now 2-1 to the French side. An equaliser for Hoffenheim would prevent City from securing their progress to the last 16 for another few weeks.
71 minPENALTY! City win another penalty and this time, it's a definite spot kick with David Silva being upended by Stepanenko.
72 minGOAL! Manchester City 4-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (Gabriel Jesus)
72 minJesus goes the same way as the first one, but this time finds the top corner rather than the bottom one.
73 minSUBSTITUTION! A second change for City sees Gundogan come on for David Silva. It's his first appearance in five weeks.
75 minShakhtar are doing their best to try to give their supporters something to cheer, but they face being hit on the counter every time that they commit players forward.
76 minSUBSTITUTION! Guardiola opts to give Fernandinho a rest, with Delph being introduced in his place.
77 minSUBSTITUTION! Shakhtar also act as Wellington Nem and Alan are brought on in place of Taison and Maycon.
78 minSAVE! Ederson has some work to do! Shakhtar win a free kick around 25 yards from goal and Rakitskiy's left-footed curler is punched away by the Brazilian stopper.
80 minThat strike has given Shakhtar a bit of confidence in the final third, but it will of course prove to be irrelevant. City will be desperate to keep yet another clean sheet.
82 minShakhtar actually have more men in forward positions than at any other stage of the match. It's strange it has taken until they are facing a 4-0 deficit for that to happen!
84 minGOAL! Manchester City 5-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (Riyad Mahrez)
84 minMan City have a fifth and it is Mahrez who gets on the scoresheet. The ball found its way to the Algerian on the right-hand side of the penalty area, and the summer signing sent a weak volley under Pyatov and into the net. The goalkeeper should do a lot better.
86 minThis currently stands as City's biggest-ever win in the Champions League, but the home side want more goals. Don't be surprised if they net a sixth.
88 minThat sixth almost arrives when Sterling gets into the penalty area, but a last-ditch challenge prevents the winger from having a tap-in from 12 yards.
90 minThere will be two minutes of added-on time.
90+2 minGOAL! Manchester 6-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (Gabriel Jesus)
90+2 minJesus has his treble and his first goal from open play. A long ball from Mahrez finds the run of the Brazilian, who proceeds to chip Pyatov from all of 35 yards with the ball rolling into the back of the net. A fine finish to cap off the easiest of wins.
90+3 minFULL TIME: Manchester City 6-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
9.54pmThe full-time whistle goes at the Etihad Stadium and Man City have completed a 6-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk, with Jesus netting a treble and David Silva, Sterling and Mahrez all chipping in with goals. However, a late equaliser from Hoffenheim against Lyon has prevented City from securing qualification for the last 16 this evening.
10.00pmThat will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
10.00pmThat will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
