City back on track

A late David Silva goal sealed Manchester City’s 2-1 victory at Hoffenheim yesterday as Pep Guardiola’s side got their Champions League campaign back on track in Germany. After suffering a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Lyon a fortnight ago, the Premier League champions badly needed the three points to move off the bottom of Group F. Silva poached the winner on 87 minutes when he reacted quickest to nick the ball off Hoffenheim defender Stefan Posch on the penalty spot and fire home. The away win was thoroughly deserved as City were finally rewarded for their patience after dominating a determined Hoffenheim defence for long spells.

However, City got off to a disastrous start at the Rhein-Neckar Arena as Hoffenheim shocked the English side by taking the lead after just 44 seconds. When central midfielder Kerem Demirbay spotted a hole in the City defence, his pass put Ishak Belfodil clear to fire past goalkeeper Ederson to the delight of the home fans. City hit back almost immediately when Silva’s pass split the Hoffenheim defence and found Leroy Sane who put Aguero into space to tap home the equaliser on eight minutes.

From that point on, City were repeatedly thwarted in their efforts to grab a second goal against a dogged Hoffenheim side until Silva struck.The Germans had a huge letoff on 14 minutes when England’s Raheem Sterling held off his marker and dribbled across goal, but his final shot went wide.

City threatened again on 32 minutes when Sane managed to get the ball away to Aguero again, but he could only fire over. The Argentinian had a total of seven chances, five in the firsthalf alone, and moments later Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann had to palm yet another Aguero shot over the crossbar. Somehow, it remained 1-1 at the break as repeated City chances went begging.