MAN CITY 3 PORTO 1
MANCHESTER City overcame some defensive wobbles to start their Champions League campaign with victory over Porto last night.
Sergio Aguero, Ilkay Gundogan and Ferran Torres were on target for City but they were never allowed to rest by the Portuguese champions.
Indeed it was Porto who struck first as Luis Diaz marked his Champions League debut with a brilliant individual goal.
The 23-year-old Colombian ran from left to right across the penalty area before cutting inside and thumping the ball beyond Ederson.
The lead did not last long with Pepe barging into Raheem Sterling after Gundogan’s shot had come back off the post, Aguero’s spot-kick just about beating goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin.
City had a scare when Ederson played a dreadful ball out but Mateus Uribe blazed the shot over, and were also indebted to Kyle Walker for a brilliant goal-line clearance just before the break. Three first-half bookings emphasised City’s growing frustration but they showed more intent after the break, with Gundogan forcing a fine save out of Marchesin.
It was Gundogan, who City had already earmarked to be replaced, who put City in front in the 65th minute with a fine free-kick.
Aguero was also substituted and their replacements combined for the third goal, Phil Foden setting up Torres who burst into the area and bent his shot into the far corner.
With City finally in control, Riyad Mahrez forced a fine save out of Marchesin while Rodri hit the post.