Manchester City 2-1 Paris St-Germain: Raheem Sterling & Gabriel Jesus score to seal top spot

2 years ago 193
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Raheem SterlingRaheem Sterling's goal was his third in as many Manchester City matches

Manchester City came back from behind to beat Paris St-Germain and secure qualification for the Champions League last 16 - doing so as Group A winners.

City's outstanding display reaped the reward it deserved, as they showed character as well as class after Kylian Mbappe swept PSG into a 50th-minute lead.

PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino, heavily linked with Manchester United following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking, was left disappointed as City hit back in style to turn the game around.

Raheem Sterling's recent good run continued as he turned home Kyle Walker's far post touch to equalise after 63 minutes. Then substitute Gabriel Jesus was the beneficiary of an exquisite lay-off from Bernardo Silva to beat PSG keeper Kaylor Navas from close range 13 minutes later.

PSG's superstar trio of Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar were a sporadic threat but City carried the greater danger and this was a well-merited victory, putting them into the last 16 before they travel to face RB Leipzig for their final Group A game, which will be played behind closed doors.

Man City overpower PSG

Bernardo, Cancelo and Jesus celebratesCity avenged September's 2-0 defeat by PSG

For all PSG's attacking riches, it was Manchester City who carried the more concerted threat - with the only concern initially that they could not cash in on their domination.

Pep Guardiola's side were on the front foot from the first whistle and it required Presnel Kimpembe's header to deny Rodri, before Achraf Hakimi diverted a shot from Riyad Mahrez over the top.

City almost paid the price when John Stones lost possession and Mbappe shot over but City were calm, measured and always looked a more organised unit than their illustrious opponents.

They were put to the test when Mbappe put PSG ahead against the run of play but City then struck the perfect balance between chasing the game and keeping the door locked at the back.

Sterling's resurgence continued with another goal and an energetic display while Jesus answered the regular questions about City not signing a striker with a predatory finish.

City then closed out the game with few alarms to ensure they will go into the draw for the knockout stage as group winners, always an advantage, and with the opportunity to rest players in that final group game behind closed doors in Leipzig with their Champions League job done.

It was the sort of performance City have been producing in the Champions League in recent seasons, as PSG discovered in last season's semi-final - now the task is to somehow find a way to make those successful steps through the next phase and fill that gap in their trophy cabinet.

More to follow.

Player of the match

Bernardo SilvaBernardo Silva

with an average of 7.21

Manchester City

  1. Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva

  2. Squad number9Player nameGabriel Jesus

  3. Squad number26Player nameMahrez

  4. Squad number27Player nameJoão Cancelo

  5. Squad number7Player nameSterling

  6. Squad number8Player nameGündogan

  7. Squad number16Player nameRodri

  8. Squad number2Player nameWalker

  9. Squad number3Player nameRúben Dias

  10. Squad number5Player nameStones

  11. Squad number31Player nameEderson

  12. Squad number11Player nameZinchenko

Paris Saint Germain

  1. Squad number30Player nameMessi

  2. Squad number7Player nameMbappé

  3. Squad number5Player nameMarquinhos

  4. Squad number2Player nameHakimi

  5. Squad number3Player nameKimpembe

  6. Squad number1Player nameNavas

  7. Squad number10Player nameNeymar

  8. Squad number27Player nameGueye

  9. Squad number25Player nameNuno Mendes

  10. Squad number21Player nameHerrera

  11. Squad number8Player nameParedes

  12. Squad number15Player nameDanilo Pereira

  13. Squad number11Player nameDi María

  14. Squad number24Player nameKehrer

Line-ups

Man City

Formation 4-3-3

  • 31Ederson
  • 2Walker
  • 5Stones
  • 3Rúben Dias
  • 27CanceloBooked at 80mins
  • 8Gündogan
  • 16RodriBooked at 55mins
  • 11ZinchenkoSubstituted forGabriel Jesusat 54'minutesBooked at 90mins
  • 26Mahrez
  • 20Bernardo Silva
  • 7Sterling

Substitutes

  • 6Aké
  • 9Gabriel Jesus
  • 13Steffen
  • 14Laporte
  • 25Fernandinho
  • 33Carson
  • 80Palmer
  • 87McAtee

PSG

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Navas
  • 2Hakimi
  • 5Marquinhos
  • 3Kimpembe
  • 25Tavares MendesSubstituted forKehrerat 67'minutes
  • 21HerreraSubstituted forDaniloat 61'minutes
  • 8Paredes
  • 27GueyeSubstituted forDi Maríaat 67'minutes
  • 30Messi
  • 7Mbappé
  • 10Neymar

Substitutes

  • 4Ramos
  • 6Verratti
  • 9Icardi
  • 11Di María
  • 15Danilo
  • 17Dagba
  • 18Wijnaldum
  • 22Diallo
  • 24Kehrer
  • 28Ebimbe
  • 40Franchi
  • 50G Donnarumma

Live Text

  1. Match ends, Manchester City 2, Paris Saint Germain 1.

  2. Second Half ends, Manchester City 2, Paris Saint Germain 1.

  3. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  4. Foul by Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City).

  5. Neymar (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  6. Foul by Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City).

  7. Leandro Paredes (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  8. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  9. Foul by Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint Germain).

  10. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  11. Foul by Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint Germain).

  12. João Cancelo (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  13. Foul by João Cancelo (Manchester City).

  14. Lionel Messi (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  15. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  16. Foul by Leandro Paredes (Paris Saint Germain).

  17. Goal! Manchester City 2, Paris Saint Germain 1. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Bernardo Silva.

  18. Attempt missed. Ángel Di María (Paris Saint Germain) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Lionel Messi.

  19. Attempt missed. Neymar (Paris Saint Germain) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ángel Di María.

  20. Offside, Manchester City. Bernardo Silva tries a through ball, but Gabriel Jesus is caught offside.

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