Manchester City left it late, but the Premier League leaders took all three points from their 2-1 UEFA Champions League victory over Sevilla, thanks to a dramatic winner scored by Kevin De Bruyne, to go second in Group D.
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It was another slow start for Man City, as Yevhen Konoplyanka went inches from putting Sevilla into the lead in the 17th minute. The Ukrainian winger whipped in a powerful free kick from the right wing, seemingly too tight an angle for an attempt on goal, that fooled City goalkeeper Joe Hart. Konoplyanka’s effort found only woodwork at the near post, though, and City’s blushes were temporarily saved.
It was Konoplyanka who evntually put Sevilla into the lead in the 30th minute, when he turned home Vitolo’s cross from near the penalty spot. Vitolo broke down the right side of the penalty area, cut the ball back through a sea of City defenders and picked out Konoplyanka, whose first-time strike beat a scrambling Hart back across his goal.
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City equalized six minutes later, when Jesus Navas and Yaya Toure combined down the right flank. Toure powered his way along the byline and cut the ball back to Raheem Sterling eight yards out. Sterling’s first-time shot was saved by Sergio Rico. The rebound fell to Wilfried Bony, who scuffed his own effort off the leg of Adil Rami and into the back of the net.
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With a draw looking unavoidable in the 91st minute, it was De Bruyne who cut in from the right wing, eluded two defenders, dropped his shoulder and placed an inch-perfect, slow-rolling curler into the bottom corner at the far post. Rico could only watch helplessly as 90-plus minutes of matching the Premier League leaders stride for stride was undone.
Through three games played, City (6 points) sit second in Group D, one point behind leaders Juventus. A return trip to Seville is up next for the Manuel Pellegrini’s side.