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This article is part of Football FanCast's In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets... 

Having arrived from Leicester in a big-money deal, the expectations were understandably high on what Riyad Mahrez would go on to produce in his Manchester City career.

The Algeria international had been one of the Foxes' biggest stars in their miraculous title-winning campaign, winning the PFA Player of the Year award during the 2015/2016 season.

However, since arriving at the Etihad, Mahrez has found himself as being just another expensive recruit, and failed to really establish himself as part of Pep Guardiola's first-team last year.

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The winger made just 27 appearances in the Premier League, and often found himself coming off the bench on many occasions. If the 28-year-old needed a stellar performance to truly remind everyone of his credentials, then he delivered it with aplomb against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night.

Mahrez was at his talismanic best against the Ukrainian giants, operating from his favoured right-wing position and cutting on to his left foot as per his trademark style. The former Leicester star bagged himself a goal and an assist in a virtuoso performance, but his underlying numbers over the course of the game really under-lined the kind of the impact he had.

The Algerian registered a joint game-high three key passes, whilst only City teammate Rodri completed more dribbles for the away side. It was a throwback performance to his Foxes days, and a huge reminder to the club's hierarchy about why they splashed the cash to sign him.

When you have stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and David Silva, amongst others, in the City team, it can be so easy to just lose yourself. Questions of where exactly you fit into the set-up, and how much of the ball you will see all rear their ugly heads. It can really be a case of too many chefs and not enough waiters.

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But on Wednesday night, Mahrez proved he has the ability to not just be a supporting act to the main cast; he can be the star attraction too.

After Leroy Sane's unfortunate injury, Guardiola really has no excuse now to not give the winger a decent run of games. Whilst he has featured in all six of City's games this season, the 28-year-old has started in just three of them.

After a mesmeric showing against Shakhtar, City simply have to throw all their chips into the Mahrez basket and watch him pay-out big-time. Sterling on one flank and the Algerian on the other could be utterly irresistible.