Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was delighted with the performance of his side during their 5-0 triumph over Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday night.

The emphatic victory in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie has all but assured the Citizens of their place in the group stage of the competition for the sixth successive season.

A hat-trick from Sergio Aguero and further strikes from David Silva and Nolito helped seal a routine success for Guardiola’s men at the Arena Nationala, and afterwards the Spanish coach revealed his delight at the team’s overall performance.

“We are very pleased about the way we played,” said Guardiola.

“Of course, with the result we are almost in the Champions League. We played really good and so we are so happy.

“Trainers are always happy to win the games but especially the way we played. Eleven players ran a lot without the ball, with the ball they played amazing, and we scored a lot of goals.”

The result could have been even more emphatic for City had Aguero not missed two penalties in the opening 20 minutes of the encounter, but Guardiola was quick to praise the Argentine for his response.

The boss added: “The fact he missed the penalties is part of the game but it was important that Sergio stayed focused and didn’t get down.

He focused on his game and after he scored three goals.” City reached the semi-finals of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time last season and they are available at 12.00 to claim overall glory during the 2016-17 campaign.