De Bruyne broke the deadlock on what proved a testing night against the Ukrainian champions with a fine shot early in the second half before substitute Sterling wrapped up victory late on.
Sergio Aguero, one short of equalling the club’s long-standing goalscoring record, endured a frustrating evening and had a second-half penalty saved by Andriy Pyatov.
Tweet of the match
Star man
Kevin De Bruyne: After a frustrating first half, De Bruyne provided the game-breaker after 48 minutes with a sublime finish. The Belgian took a square pass from David Silva, looked up and curled an instinctive shot into the top corner. Goalkeeper Pyatov failed to get anywhere near it as he scrambled across his line.Aguero Anguish
Needing one goal to equal Eric Brook’s long-standing club goalscoring record of 177, Aguero stepped up to take a penalty in the 70th minute. With the crowd willing him on, it looked like being his moment but they reckoned without Pyatov and the Argentinian’s mixed record from the spot. Aguero, who was also denied on the volley by the keeper, was substituted soon after and will have to wait a little longer.
Worrying sight
Benjamin Mendy has made an impressive start at City since his £49.1million summer move from Monaco but the sight of the left-back arriving on crutches to watch the second half was worrying for the hosts. City had hoped the knee injury he suffered against Palace at the weekend was not serious but he is now expected to travel to see specialist Dr Ramon Cugat in Barcelona for a full assessment.
Player ratings
Manchester City: Ederson: 6 (out of 10), Kyle Walker 5, John Stones 6, Nicolas Otamendi 6, Fabian Delph 7, Kevin De Bruyne 7, Fernandinho 7, David Silva 6, Leroy Sane 6, Gabriel Jesus 5, Sergio Aguero 5. Substitutes: Raheem Sterling (for Jesus 54) 6,Ilkay Gundogan (for Silva 81) 6, Bernardo Silva (for Aguero 84) 6.
Shakhtar Donetsk: Andriy Pyatov 7, Bohdan Butko 6, Ivan Ordets 6, Yaroslav Rakitskiy 6, Ismaily 6, Fred 6, Taras Stepanenko 6, Marlos 7, Taison 7, Bernard 7, Facundo Ferreyra 6. Substitutes: Dentinho (for Marlos 78) 6, Ivan Petriak (for Bernard 89) 5, Viktor Kovalenko (for Fred 90) 5.
Who’s up next?
Chelsea v Manchester City (Premier League, September 30)
Shakhtar Donetsk v Karpaty Lviv (Ukrainian Premier League, October 1)
Source: By PA Sport Staff