(Manchester City supporters show their feelings towards the UEFA Champions League anthem prior to kick off - image via @MailSport)
And there was something unfamiliar about the way the Blues became the first English team to seal qualification. Propelled by the brilliance of Fernandinho and Raheem Sterling, City comfortably and confidently dismissed a side that have won their last 10 European home games.
Within the first 11 minutes, the away side were 2-0 up and cruising. A central midfield trio of Yaya Touré, Fernandinho and Fernando acted as a barrier against Sevilla's attacking play and a platform on which City launched their own. With Touré occupying a deeper role, it was Fernandinho who was given the freedom to drive forward and his superb through ball into Sterling for the opening goal demonstrated how effective the Brazilian can be higher up the pitch.
Manchester City have long deliberated who and how they will replace Touré when his glittering career at the Etihad Stadium eventually grinds to a halt, but they'll face a similarly insoluble problem finding a successor to the 30-year-old who has been their best player this season.
Fernandinho's 90-minute stats
Shots: 5
Chances created: 3
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
(Fernandinho nods in his side's second of the evening - image via Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Sterling, who has been criticised for his conduct in front of goal this term, showed no signs of agitation as he coolly slotted past Rico with his weaker left foot. Questions were raised over Manuel Pellegrini's decision to leave Kevin De Bruyne on the sidelines, but the 20-year-old Englishman gave a performance that made the £49m transfer from Liverpool this summer feel like robbery. Sterling put on an exhibition of pure pace in a dazzling display that cemented his status as one of Europe's hottest prospects.
His acceleration helped fire City into a 2-0 lead just after the 10 minute mark. Sterling skipped past his man and found Wilfried Bony. The Ivorian's effort was parried by Rico into the path of Fernandinho who headed in.
Sterling's 90-minute stats
Attempted take-ons: 10
Chances created: 5
Shots: 2
Goals: 1
(Raheem Sterling proved his worth against Sevilla on Wednesday night - image via Ian Walton/Getty Images)
But for all of City's early dominance, the first half still left time for them to take a foot off the pedal. Aleksandar Kolarov was beaten far too easily by Coke on the left-hand side and the Spaniard's looping cross was headed in by Benoît Trémoulinas.
City have been partial to a few defensive mistakes this term, but going forward, they were too strong for their opponents. Jesus Navas, enjoying his first experience of the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in the colours of another team since his move in 2013, was toying with his former teammates in one of his better games in sky blue. After hitting the post just minutes earlier, the 29-year-old fed Wilfried Bony who netted City's third.
The Ivorian, desperate for a fix of morale coming into the game, was visibly relieved.
A professional second half display ensured the Blues would avoid the drama that had characterised their last two Champions League victories and Pellegrini's men marched assuredly into the last 16 of the tournament.
This was a different Manchester City to the club that have made their tempestuous relationship with the competition, on and off the field, so public. This was an intelligent, aggressive and efficient Manchester City - the Manchester City we see squash trample their opponents in the Premier League week in week out. A switch may have been flicked.
Player Ratings
Bacary Sagna 7
Fernandinho 9
Wilfried Bony 7.5
Substitutes
This was much easier than expected for Pellegrini's men.
City have been partial to a few defensive mistakes this term, but going forward, they were too strong for their opponents. Jesus Navas, enjoying his first experience of the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in the colours of another team since his move in 2013, was toying with his former teammates in one of his better games in sky blue. After hitting the post just minutes earlier, the 29-year-old fed Wilfried Bony who netted City's third.
The Ivorian, desperate for a fix of morale coming into the game, was visibly relieved.
A professional second half display ensured the Blues would avoid the drama that had characterised their last two Champions League victories and Pellegrini's men marched assuredly into the last 16 of the tournament.
This was a different Manchester City to the club that have made their tempestuous relationship with the competition, on and off the field, so public. This was an intelligent, aggressive and efficient Manchester City - the Manchester City we see squash trample their opponents in the Premier League week in week out. A switch may have been flicked.
Player Ratings
Joe Hart 7
Bacary Sagna 7
Nicolas Otamendi 7
Vincent Kompany 7.5
Aleksandar Kolarov 6.5
Fernandinho 9
Yaya Touré 8
Fernando 8
Jesus Navas 8
Raheem Sterling 9Wilfried Bony 7.5
Substitutes
Kevin De Bruyne 6
Fabian Delph 6
Martin Demichelis - no time to mark
