Man City 2-1 Villarreal - De Jong happy with an important win | Champions League
Sergio Aguero's winner in the dying seconds rescued Manchester City as they came from behind to claim their first Champions League win.
Roberto Mancini's side looked set for more frustration after Villarreal belied their poor La Liga form to leave City on the brink of a third game without victory in the group stage.
Cani had set the tone for an uncomfortable evening when he gave Villarreal the lead after only four minutes and City's only response was an own goal from Carlos Marchena just before the interval.
But deep into stoppage time, and with what turned out to be almost the final kick of the game, substitute Aguero arrived at the far post to turn Pablo Zabaleta's cross past Diego Lopez to revive City's hopes of reaching the knockout phase.
A draw would not have been fatal for City, but it would have left them with a tough task after drawing with Napoli at the Etihad and losing to Bayern Munich in Germany.
And it was left to Argentine Aguero, on as a second-half substitute, to come to City's rescue with a poacher's finish that left Villarreal devastated that such a fine performance had left them empty-handed.
It also came as sweet relief to Mancini after City's off-colour display saw him replace Adam Johnson with Gareth Barry after only 39 minutes, much to the player's obvious displeasure.
Mancini had to deal with Edin Dzeko's unhappiness at being substituted and the Carlos Tevez affair in Munich - but this just appeared a case of genuine disappointment from Johnson.
All this was forgotten as City's players celebrated at the final whistle in the hope that this dramatic finale will see their Champions League campaign now gather momentum.
Mancini made it clear before kick-off that victory was the only priority - no matter how it was achieved after picking up only one point from their opening two games.
City made the worst possible start, however, as they fell behind in the fourth minute. The normally impeccable David Silva conceded cheap possession and w
Roberto Mancini's side looked set for more frustration after Villarreal belied their poor La Liga form to leave City on the brink of a third game without victory in the group stage.
Cani had set the tone for an uncomfortable evening when he gave Villarreal the lead after only four minutes and City's only response was an own goal from Carlos Marchena just before the interval.
But deep into stoppage time, and with what turned out to be almost the final kick of the game, substitute Aguero arrived at the far post to turn Pablo Zabaleta's cross past Diego Lopez to revive City's hopes of reaching the knockout phase.
A draw would not have been fatal for City, but it would have left them with a tough task after drawing with Napoli at the Etihad and losing to Bayern Munich in Germany.
And it was left to Argentine Aguero, on as a second-half substitute, to come to City's rescue with a poacher's finish that left Villarreal devastated that such a fine performance had left them empty-handed.
It also came as sweet relief to Mancini after City's off-colour display saw him replace Adam Johnson with Gareth Barry after only 39 minutes, much to the player's obvious displeasure.
Mancini had to deal with Edin Dzeko's unhappiness at being substituted and the Carlos Tevez affair in Munich - but this just appeared a case of genuine disappointment from Johnson.
All this was forgotten as City's players celebrated at the final whistle in the hope that this dramatic finale will see their Champions League campaign now gather momentum.
Mancini made it clear before kick-off that victory was the only priority - no matter how it was achieved after picking up only one point from their opening two games.
City made the worst possible start, however, as they fell behind in the fourth minute. The normally impeccable David Silva conceded cheap possession and w
Category
🥇
Sports