Inside: Brilliant football pullout

Aguero pops up with another crucial goal as City deny Lyon and qualify for the knockout stages

SERGIO AGUERO rescued Manchester City from a French farce as they limped into the knockout stages.

The Argentina striker pounced seven minutes from time to steer a glancing header into the bottom corner and deny Lyon another famous victory over the English champions.

Bruno Genesio’s men were on course to become the only team to beat City this season – for a second time – following Maxel Cornet’s stunning second-half double.

But Aymeric Laporte cancelled Cornet’s first effort with a header of his own on 62 minutes before Aguero (circle) salvaged a draw two minutes after the Ivorian fired Lyon back in front.

The point means a relieved City progress from Group F to the last 16 with a game to spare.

Yet it was more than City deserved on a night where their superstars struggled against a Lyon side in generous mood when missing chances.

Guardiola produced no major surprises in his team selection, feeling no more than the need to tweak what was a well-oiled machine.

John Stones, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riyad Mahrez were recalled with Nicolas Otamendi and Fabian Delph dropping to the bench and Ilkay Gundogan injured.

Despite insisting Phil Foden was ready to make the step up, there was still no place in the team for the precocious teenager. Lyon were boosted by captain and star man Nabil Fekir passing a fitness test and starting along with former Manchester United duo Memphis Depay and Rafael.

City knew a win would guarantee them top spot in Group F and a place in the knockout stages.

Revenge was also on the agenda considering Lyon beat them in the opening game in Manchester in September – City’s only loss of the season in any competition. But it was the hosts who should have drawn first blood when Cornet rose unmarked to meet a corner in the fourth minute, but failed to make proper contact.

An even worse miss followed on 13 minutes when Cornet’s cross picked out Depay, who somehow scuffed his volley when it seemed easier to score.

City broke like lightning and should have scored, but Mahrez shot straight at Anthony Lopes.

Memphis tried to redeem himself with a long-range free kick that whistled just wide.

Lyon threatened again on 28 minutes when Ferland Mendy found Cornet with a superb cross, but his first touch was woeful and Laporte did just enough to put him off.

It was yet another let-off for City. All they could seem to muster in reply was a longrange effort from Zinchenko that sailed high and wide.

But Lyon continued to blow chances, with Cornet guilty again on the stroke of half-time when he volleyed on to a post from close range.

As if home fans had not suffered enough, they were forced to sit through big-screen replays of their misses at halftime.

But all was forgiven after 55 minutes when Cornet took a pass from Depay and curled a stunning effort into the top corner that gave Ederson no chance.

Moments later Lopes made a superb save to keep out Aguero’s header, but he could not stop Laporte hauling City level.

Cornet buried a low shot through Ederson on 81 minutes, only to see Aguero have the last laugh with his first meaningful contribution.