Manchester City rallied from behind to defeat Borussia Monchengladbach 4-2 in their Champions League clash this evening to top Group D.
David Silva put the Citizens ahead, but goals from Julian Korb and Raffael handed the visitors a half-time lead at the Etihad Stadium.
The game looked to be slipping away from City, but Raheem Sterling scored a late brace, while Wilfried Bony also found the net to fire Manuel Pellegrini's men to the three points.
Here, Sports Mole analyses the match to see if the result was fair.
Match statistics
MANCHESTER CITY
Shots: 20
On target: 9
Possession: 51%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 8
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
Shots: 12
On target: 4
Possession: 49%
Corners: 0
Fouls: 12
Was the result fair?
City deserved to take all three points from the contest due to the quality of their display in the second half. Pellegrini's men were outplayed by the German side for the majority of the opening 45 minutes as their backline was cut open on numerous on occasions, and had Monchengladbach been more clinical in the final third their lead at the break could have been greater. The visitors lost their way in the second half and struggled for a balance between defence and attack, which allowed City space to get in behind.
Andre Schubert's men did well to hold the home side at bay for 35 minutes in the second half before Sterling finally got the goal as the pressure eventually told in the Monchengladbach area. Like pressure on a dam, once one crack appeared the goals flooded in for City as Sterling and Bony netted late in the match to secure a deserved win. Pellegrini will be pleased with the character of his team to persevere after being frustrated for much of the contest.
Man City's performance
City started the game in confident fashion when Silva fired them ahead in the 16th minute, but their defensive frailties this season were on display once again as Fabian Johnson cut them apart with a run through the middle before he squared the ball into the path of Julian Korb, who found the net. Their problems got worse when Raffael put the German side ahead before the break following a well-worked move, which allowed the Brazilian to convert from close range from a simple counter-attack.
However, City's response in the second half was emphatic as they put the visitors under pressure from the off and did not relent until they had secured the victory. Sterling's performance was crucial to the win as he never stopped probing away at the Monchengladbach defence as he was denied by a fine save from Yann Sommer and good defending before he found the net with a left-footed strike. The 21-year-old finished well for his second goal to carry his team over the line, while Bony ensured the victory. The display across the pitch was not perfect from Pellegrini's men, but the Chilean will be elated with the effort his side showed to keep going until they had scored their leveller and then had the confidence and the determination to secure the three points.
Borussia Monchengladbach's performance
The German side came into the match full of confidence and that was on display from the off as they pressed City in the early stages, and Korb should have put his team ahead before Silva struck. However, their response to going behind was extremely impressive as they equalised almost immediately from Johnson's driving run and pass to Korb, who put his earlier miss behind him to find the bottom corner. From that stage on Schubert's men controlled proceedings until the end of the half and deservedly took the lead from a well-worked counter, which was finished by Raffael.
Monchengladbach's problems came in the second half as City put them under pressure and they were unable to get out of their own half due to lacking an out ball, which was offered by Lars Stindl in the second half. However, the striker was unable to control the ball after the break and the team's midfielders were unable to retain possession in the middle of the park, which resulted in numerous chances for the home side. The pressure finally told when Sterling found the net, and the German outfit were unable to regain their composure as they fell apart at the back in the final minutes to slip to defeat. The result leaves them out of Europe this season as they finished bottom of Group D, leaving them to focus solely on their domestic commitments.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Raheem Sterling: Sterling produced an outstanding display on his 21st birthday as he never relented throughout the contest and was always asking questions of the Monchengladbach defence. The England international took control of the match in the second half and saw two attempts at goal thwarted by Sommer before he eventually found a way past the Swiss with a low finish from Gael Clichy's cross from the right. The forward then displayed a clinical edge to put his team ahead with a fine curling finish before playing a part in the final goal with a neat flick. A statement match from Sterling.
Biggest gaffe
Korb had the chance to put Borussia ahead in the early minutes of the match, but he could only blast his effort over the bar from inside the box. Had he been able to take the chance the game could have turned out differently as City would have been under pressure from the off.
Referee performance
A quiet game from Danny Makkelie as he opted to keep his cards in his pocket throughout the contest. He could have booked Havard Nordtveit for a high boot on Sterling in the first half, but that may have been his only incorrect decision of the evening. Fine outing from the official.
What next?
Manchester City: City face Swansea City on Saturday in their Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Borussia Monchengladbach: Schubert's men travel to play Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
Simon Sinclair
