Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has expressed delight with his side beating Sevilla 3-1 in the Champions League to clinch qualification to the last 16 of the competition.

The Citizens produced a remarkable first half in Tuesday night's Group D clash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium to seal the victory courtesy of goals from Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho and Wilfried Bony.

Man City's nine-point haul is enough to ensure qualification from the group stages, with third-placed Sevilla having just three points to their name, but Pellegrini now wants to secure a first-place finish in the group.

Pellegrini told reporters after the game: "It is very important to qualify for the next stage, now we will try to qualify in first position. I'm happy with the way we played, we scored three goals, missed three of four clear chances to score, and we defended well.

"I was not happy with the way we were playing in the previous games, so I'm happy with our form tonight. The three midfielders - Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and Fernando - played well, pressed higher and our attack was really prepared."

Up next for Man City in the Champions League is a trip to Juventus on November 25.