Manchester City qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League following a 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk, topping Group C with a game to spare.
Shakhtar created the better chances throughout the first half, with City lacking energy in the final third and struggling to break down the visitors.
But shortly after the break City grabbed the opener, Ilkay Gundogan stroking home Gabriel Jesus’ pass and almost guaranteeing qualification for the hosts. However, Shakhtar refused to give up and earned a valuable and deserved point after substitute Manor Soloman levelled with 20 minutes remaining.
Shall we go back to the beginning?
Despite a comfortable start for the hosts, they almost conceded early on when Ederson rushed off his line only to miss the ball, eventually leading to a goal-line clearance from teammate Fernandinho.
An early warning sign…
Rare mistake from Ederson as he runs out and misses the ball completely. Fernandinho back to keep off the line.
— Jonathan Smith (@jonnysmiffy) November 26, 2019
How has Fernandinho become the king of goal line clearances in 2 games. But EDERSON WHAT ARE YOU DOING, that was Bravo esc. #MCISHK
— Josh M (@MassiveMyatt) November 26, 2019
Honestly, that’s what makes me love Ederson, the mad bastard.
— Centurion 93:20 (@centurion9320) November 26, 2019
Tete was causing City all sorts of issues down the left-hand side – a very worrying sign for Pep Guardiola and his inexperienced full-back Angelino.
How many times are Shakhtar gonna hit that space behind Angelino to Tete before we change something over there?
— Chris (@keppy_) November 26, 2019
Right wingers in the Dutch league must be pure pish if Angelino was deemed a good left back
— Michael (@Michael_G1989) November 26, 2019
City continued to dominate possession but surprisingly failed to show any quality in the final third, seeing a pretty poor first half finish without a goal.
Hopefully the second half would be better…? Well, City continued to look sluggish after the break but it mattered little as they took the lead after 56 minutes courtesy of a goal from midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
GOAL City! After a period of pressure Jesus releases Gundogan in the box, who scores from close range. City 1-0 Shakhtar #MCISHK #HeartNews
— North West News (@HeartNWNews) November 26, 2019
Nice work from Jesus, taking De Bruyne’s sharp pass in a tight spot and prodding a pass for the unmarked Gundogan to pass into the net. #MCFC
— Stuart Brennan (@StuBrennanMEN) November 26, 2019
But it wasn’t quite game, set and match for Man City as Shakhtar roared back in to the game, grabbing a deserved equaliser 20 minutes from time.
Manor Soloman had only been on for four minutes before he netted following Dodo’s fantastic cross.
⚽️| Goal for Shakhtar 1-1 Soloman the scorer.
— City Chief (@City_Chief) November 26, 2019
And that was that. No more goals meant the game finished 1-1 with Man City qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League for another year.
Despite only drawing in a rather poor performance from the Sky Blues, Atalanta’s victory over Dinamo Zagreb in Bergamo meant that City topped Group C.
Guardiola’s side will be aiming for a much better performance and result against Newcastle United this weekend as they continue to hunt down Liverpool at the top of the table.
Let’