Home Bundesliga Borussia Mönchengladbach Manchester City show real Hart in vital win

Manchester City show real Hart in vital win

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Manchester City got back to winning ways tonight in the Champions League away to Borussia Monchengladbach.

City came into this tie having lost to West Ham United, Juventus and Tottenham in recent weeks.

To make matters worse, they were without SIX recognised first-teamers. But good news for City fans was that Yaya Toure and David Silva passed fitness tests to feature here.

Meanwhile, German side Borussia had not lost to an English side on their own patch.

Both teams lost their opening game in the group so knew a win was vital.

It was City who had the first chance, Sergio Aguero firing straight at the goalkeeper after being played in by Raheem Sterling and Alexander Kolarov.

The hosts then got a foothold in the game, and were awarded a penalty after Raffael was caught by Nicolas Otamendi.

However, Joe Hart managed to save his second consecutive Champions League penalty, denying Raffael diving to his right.

Hart then launched the ball upfield for Aguero, only for the forward to miss the target.

Hart then denied Raffael, again, and Hermann before a messy challenge on Stindl by Fernandinho in the area could have resulted in another Monchengladbach penalty. To City’s relief, it was not awarded.

The second half started with Hart denying Raffael once more, before the Germans took the lead. Stindl tucking away a well-flighted cross from the right.

City managed to level on 67 minutes, against the run of play, and with some doubt over who the goal will be credited to.

A cross was knocked towards goal by Martin Demichelis, his effort was clearly over the line before being cleared to just inside the Borussia box. Somehow, the official behind the goal did not signal for a goal, despite replays showing it was clearly over the line. Otamendi collected the ball and shot, the ball deflected in by Christiansen.

City then managed to assert some control. Aguero, Fernandinho and Jesus Navas all had chances before City stunned their hosts by taking the lead from the penalty spot.

Aguero was brought down by Johnson, he got up and comfortably despatched the penalty past Sommer.

It was a battling performance by City, and may well get their season back on track after a poor few weeks results-wise.

 

by Steve Osborne                    @BlizzardSteve75

 

 

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