Jump directly to the content
city go in-sane

Man City 5 Monaco 3: Pep Guardiola’s side come from behind TWICE to clinch first-leg win in amazing eight-goal Champions League thriller

Both sides threw caution to the wind in a thrilling end-to-end spectacle which saw braces from Sergio Aguero and Radamel Falcao.

Sponsored by

LEROY SANE scored the EIGHTH goal of an incredible Champions League tie as Manchester City edged past Monaco.

Both sides threw caution to the wind in a thrilling end-to-end spectacle which saw braces from Sergio Aguero and Radamel Falcao.

Offside Raheem Sterling just manages to get out of the way of Leroy Sane's winner
18
Offside Raheem Sterling just manages to get out of the way of Leroy Sane's winnerCredit: AP:Associated Press

Raheem Sterling slid City in front after some brilliant work in the build up from Sane.

Keep up to date with ALL the Manchester City news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary

But Monaco hit back through Manchester United and Chelsea flop Falcao who stopped to nod in Fabinho's inch-perfect cross.

Aguero was controversially booked for diving under a Danijel Subasic challenge before Kylian Mbappe powered the visitors in front to conclude an action-packed first period.

18

 

18
Sane celebrates after giving City a two-goal advantage
18
Sane celebrates after giving City a two-goal advantageCredit: Reuters
John Stones put City 4-3 ahead from a corner but will not be happy with his efforts at the other end
18
John Stones put City 4-3 ahead from a corner but will not be happy with his efforts at the other endCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Sergio Aguero was in top form at the Etihad tonight as Manchester City got a special victory
18
Sergio Aguero was in top form at the Etihad tonight as Manchester City got a special victoryCredit: Getty Images
Radamel Fancao clips the ball over Willy Cabellero after making John Stones look out of his depth at this level
18
Radamel Falcao clips the ball over Willy Cabellero after making John Stones look out of his depth at this levelCredit: PA:Press Association

Falcao missed from the spot after Nicolas Otamendi gave away a penalty but recovered to muscle past John Stones and chip Willy Cabellero to make it 3-2.

City hit back, however, and Aguero's weak effort crept past Subosic before the Argie striker volleyed home a corner to bring the Citizens level.

And Stones made up for his poor defensive performance as he prodded home from a corner before Sane got a deserved goal of his own.

Falcao almost pulled one back but Caballero managed to get a boot on his low effort.

Raheem Sterling slides Manchester City in front after some brilliant work from Leroy Sane
18
Raheem Sterling slides Manchester City in front after some brilliant work from Leroy SaneCredit: Getty Images
Radamel Falcao was in brilliant form and finished with two goals despite missing a penalty
18
Radamel Falcao was in brilliant form and finished with two goals despite missing a penaltyCredit: Reuters
Radamel Falcao heads Monaco level after giving the City defence a torrid time
18
Radamel Falcao heads Monaco level after giving the City defence a torrid timeCredit: AP:Associated Press
Aguero falls to the floor after a challenge from the Monaco goalkeeper
18
 Aguero falls to the floor after a challenge from the Monaco goalkeeperCredit: Getty Images

Stats, facts, goals and lols

    • THOUSANDS OF Manchester City fans were stuck outside the Etihad at kick – off  because a major entrance was closed due to re-construction within the main stand area.
    • SERGIO AGUERO was given two blasts by Pep Guardiola within the first eight minutes as once more the City boss furiously complained that the striker was not shutting down the opposition.
    • JOE HART will have noted that Claudio Bravo, the man brought in to replace him last summer, was once again jettisoned to the bench in favour of Willy Caballero.
    • LITTLE WONDER Kylian Mbappe is being called the new Thierry Henry when the 18 year old can produce the wonderful 15th minute turn and pass that left Nicolas Otamendi looking like very foolish.
    • NO PLAYER created more chances from inside the opposition box in the Champions League group stages than Raheem Sterling – but he took one himself thanks to Leroy Sane’s opener.
Kylian Mbappe produced a brilliant finish to put Monaco ahead in an end-to-end first half
18
Kylian Mbappe produced a brilliant finish to put Monaco ahead in an end-to-end first halfCredit: Getty Images
Mbappe lived up to his next Herny billing with a fine display
18

Mbappe lived up to his next 'Henry' billing with a fine display

Raheem Sterling wheels away after putting City in front
18
Raheem Sterling wheels away after putting City in frontCredit: PA:Press Association
John Stones scored to put City 4-3 ahead and complete an incredible comeback
18
John Stones scored to put City 4-3 ahead and complete an incredible comebackCredit: Getty Images
  • RADAMEL FALCAO scored just four goals in 29 appearances when he was a Manchester United player but proved he is very much a born – again front man with his diving strike at the Etihad.
  • REFEREE Antonion Mateu Lahoz will cringe for years for booking Sergio Aguero for diving when ‘keeper Danijel Subastic should have seen red and a penalty awarded for his first half challenge on the striker.
  • KYLIAN MBAPPE thundered home Monaco’s second but the goal only underlined the fact that City’s defence – not for the first time – simply cannot handle fast-paced attacks…a la Leicester City in December.
  • OOPS HE did it again… Radamel Falcao’s miss from his controversial 48th minute spot kick meant Monaco had missed three successive Champions League spot kicks.
  • AND AGAIN… John Stones made the latest fatal slip to allow Radamel Falcao to score his second to suggest Everton fans were right all along when they said the £49M defender was more about style than substance.

Big Picture

Manchester City's next five fixtures

Huddersfield Town (h) March 1

Sunderland (a) March 5

Stoke City (h) March 11

Monaco (a) March 15

Liverpool (h) March 19

 

SOCIAL SAYS

Dream Team Ratings

Manchester City: Caballero 6; Sagna 6, Stones 7, Otamendi 7, Fernandinho 6; Yaya Toure 7; Sane 8, Silva 7, De Bruyne 7, Sterling 8; Aguero 9.

Raheem Sterling wheels away after putting City in front
18
Aguero was in red-hot form and caused the Monaco defence plenty of problemsCredit: EPA
Falcao looked twice the player he was during failed spells at Manchester United and Chelsea
18
Falcao looked twice the player he was during failed spells at Manchester United and ChelseaCredit: AP:Associated Press
Aguero swept home on the volley to bring City level at 3-3
18
Aguero swept home on the volley to bring City level at 3-3Credit: Getty Images

What they said

Raheem Sterling: "It was good to be a part of. It was end to end stuff and Monaco gave us a tough game and pushed us all the way. We got the win and that's the most important thing today.

"It's always difficult to go down but the boys did really well. We played our football and stuck to our game and it worked out in the end. At the end of the day we need to tighten up at the back as well."

John Stones: "Lot of goals. The three goals we conceded from a personal point of view is something we need to work on but great team spirit, great desire and great goals from us as well."

Topics
YOU MIGHT LIKE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU