Man City beat Monaco in eight-goal classic
Manchester City have recorded a 5-3 victory over AS Monaco in the first leg of their Champions League tie after an astonishing night at the Etihad Stadium.
In a game where Sergio Aguero and Radamel Falcao both scored twice, City netted three times in the final 20 minutes to establish a potentially-decisive advantage ahead of the return game in Monte Carlo.
From the opening whistle, Monaco showed a willingness to get forward in search of an away goal with Thomas Lemar firing an early shot just wide of the target.
City were enjoying some success in the final third but they were not creating any opportunities on goal and when they lost possession, the visitors were surging forward in numbers.
Benjamin Mendy fired straight at Willy Caballero before Kamil Glik headed marginally off target at the back post, and their failure to make the most of their forward play eventually cost them as City went in front.
After David Silva played in Leroy Sane inside the penalty area, the German winger crossed for Raheem Sterling to tap home at the back post.
However, City's lead was shortlived as six minutes later, Radamel Falcao got Monaco back on level terms with a header at the back post after Willy Caballero had sliced a clearance straight to a Monaco player.
Back up the other end, City were controversially denied a penalty when goalkeeper Danijel Subasic appeared to bring down Sergio Aguero inside the penalty area, but the forward was instead cautioned for diving.
City were frustrated - none more so than Pep Guardiola on the touchline - but things got worse five minutes later when Monaco completed the turnaround through Kylian Mbappe, who ran clear of Nicolas Otamendi before firing the ball into the roof of the net.
Just three minutes into the second half, Monaco were awarded a soft penalty when Nicolas Otamendi was adjudged to have fouled Falcao when the striker attempted to get on the end of a cross, but Caballero made a comfortable save down to his left.
City were rejuvenated and they were soon level when Aguero finally ended his goalless streak when Subasic allowed his shot to go through his hands and into the net.
The home side were now on top but just after the hour mark, Falcao netted his second in sensational style, first out-muscling John Stones before chipping Caballero from 15 yards out.
It was a goal only usually seen on computer games and what was to come bared little realism as City mounted on of the most scintillating European comebacks in recent years.
With 20 minutes left, a corner from David Silva found Aguero at the back post and the forward connected sweetly with his firsttime volley which found the bottom corner from 12 yards.
Monaco tried to hit back and push for a fourth but it was the home side who went ahead through John Stones, who was perfectly placed at the back post to tap home after Yaya Toure had flicked on Kevin De Bruyne's corner.
Guardiola would have probably taken a 4-3 win but his team pushed forward relentlessly and moments after Aguero had been denied by Subasic, he found himself clear on goal before sliding the ball to Sane to tap home from inside the six-yard box.
Falcao should have reduced the deficit, netted Monaco's fourth and completed his hat-trick with six minutes left, only to be denied by a super stop from Caballero, who stuck out a leg to prevent his shot from eight yards finding the corner.
Yesterday Bayer Leverkusen-Atl. Madrid . . . . . 2-4 Manchester City-Monaco . . . . . . . . . 5-3 Today FC Porto-Juventus Sevilla-Leicester
Europa League Play Offs
Today Fenerbahce-Krasnodar Schalke-PAOK St Etienne-Manchester United
ENGLAND
Yesterday Derby-Burton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-0 Huddersfield-Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-0 QPR-Wigan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Sheffield Wed-Brentford . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Today Bristol City-Fulham
League One
Yesterday Charlton-Oxford Utd . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-1 Gillingham FC-AFC Wimbledon . . . . 2-2 Millwall-Chesterfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-0 Peterborough-Southend. . . . . . . . . . 1-4
League Two
Yesterday Accrington-Cambridge Utd. . . . . . postp Colchester-Wycombe . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-0 Newport-Morecambe . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
ITALY
Today Teramo-Pordenone
Coppa Italia Lega Pro - Play Offs
Yesterday Taranto-Matera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-1 Today Padova-Venezia
SPAIN
La Liga
Today Valencia-Real Madrid
SCOTLAND
FA Cup
Today Hibernian-Hearts