Thursday February 16, 2012 Last 32 Finished Estádio do Dragão

FC Porto 1 - 2 Manchester City

  • Silvestre Varela 27’
  • Pereira 55’ (o.g.)
  • Agüero 85’

No comments yet | Write your comment

  1. City battle past Porto

    City battle past Porto

    Manchester City came from behind to beat defending Europa League champions Porto 2-1 in the first leg of their last-32 clash. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • FC Porto
    • Manchester City
    • - Well that was a dainty little comeback from City - arguably against the best team in this bar United, they have come from behind in a hostile environment. Reports of abuse directed at Balotelli, by the way - he doesn't care though, he's rich, and hard. Have your say on the match @Reda_Eurosport. FOLLOW ON TWITTER!
    • 90+4 Rodriguez plays the free-kick in, Richards slides it behind for a corner but there is no time to take it! City have won 2-1, a good comeback against the champions and clear advantage City for the home leg next week!
    • 90+3 Richards is booked for a late foul on Rodriguez. The ref showing the card after howls from the crowd.
    • 90+2 The flag stays down as Richards and Aguero combine on the right. Then Zabaleta, who has come on for Nasri, is off.
    • 90+1 I think we have four minutes added time but I have not seen a signal.
    • 90' Hulk with a decent cross in but Kompany clears.
    • 88' PORTO SUB: Defour is on for Mangala; CITY SUB: Zabaleta on for Nasri.
    • 87' Mangala is hurt. No card for Kolarov, though I would say that's more of a booking than fouls De Jong and Alvaro were carded for.
    • 86' Porto have a free-kick on the right which Moutinho plays into Hulk - his shot is blocked by a brave Nasri and City break: almost clean through but Mangala just beats Kolarov to the ball.
    • 85' Great feet from City but Porto were all at sea defensively. That should do it for City - can't see Porto scoring three plus or winning 2-0 at Eastlands.
    • 84' CITY SCORE! Wonderful goal and it's Aguero rolling it into an empty net after super one-touch passing by Nasri and Toure.
    • 83' Great tackle by Toure on Alvaro, who complains to the ref to no avail.
    • 82' CITY SUB: Kolarov replaces Silva, he'll play as a left midfielder.
    • 81' Silva's going to come off. Not sure who for.
    • 80' Alvaro fouls Toure from behind. All a bit scrappy now.
    • 79' CITY SUB: Balotelli strides off moodily for Aguero.
    • 78' Aguero has been warming up for a while and finally he is set to come on as Mancini gives him some tactical instructions he would do well to ignore- not because Mancini is tactically redundant, but because Aguero can do what he likes in my opinion.
    • 77' PORTO SUB: Varela comes off for Kleber.
    • 76' Clichy does well to sweep up as Rodriguez tries to play Varela in.
    • 75' City counter but Nasri opts to slow it down, then a terrible ball from De Jong over Toure and back to Helton.
    • 74' Hulk is tripped by Nasri and to be fair to the ref he asks Hulk quite why he's rolling so much. Definite yellow though, cynical.
    • 73' Alvaro gets forward to combine with Rodriguez but he blasts a shot well over.
    • 72' Toure with a fine ball wide to Richards but he is a yard off. Didn't hold his line properly, good defending Maicon.
    • 71' Silva is hauled down by Fernando, who just fouled Toure and needs to be careful.
    • 70' Great take by Hart from Moutinho's free-kick, winning a free-kick himself as Varela shoved Richards into him.
    • 69' De Jong with a foul on Hulk after good play by Maicon. Nothing in that but the Porto fans bellow for a second yellow, when it was a hand on the shoulder as Hulk shielded the ball.
    • 68' Down the other end Toure plays Nasri in with a slick backheel but the Ivorian was offside when he met the initial pass.
    • 67' Lescott shows great pace to beat Hulk to a long ball, Hulk hitting the deck and claiming a foul. Er he didn't touch you lad.
    • 66' Great kick from Hart is chested on by Silva, City could be in here but a slack pass from Balotelli and Porto counter.
    • 65' After City had the better start to this half it's all Porto now, with City seemingly happy to ride the rest of this match out.
    • 64' Alvaro goes down in the box as Richards gets there first but he gets straight up. Defenders' union.
    • 63' Great tackle by Lescott on Rodriguez. Porto come again though and Lescott again intervenes as Hulk ran in.
    • 62' Moutinho to swing this in from the left... headed away by Barry and Alvaro blasts a very ambitious effort well over.
    • 62' Barry is booked for a foul on Rodriguez, a bit late nudging him but the Colombian hurled himself to th deck. City need to keep their discipline.
    • 61' Hulk takes again AND A SUPERB LOW EFFORT AROUND THE WALL PUNCHES AWAY BY HART! The swerve didn't help but well fielded in the end. Corner.
    • 60' The ref decides De Jong broke too soon from the wall and he is booked. Retake, same spot though.
    • 59' Free-kick around 25 yards out for Porto, Hulk wants this - power he has... Into the wall though.
    • 58' Two feet used by Kompany but he didn't really touch Hulk, who flew away like a dying swan: as a result the card is yellow.
    • 57' City almost get in again but Silva's ball is beyond Balotelli.
    • 56' Helton is furious - he called for it but Alvaro continued his run to track Balotelli, which resulted in the goal. Always listen to your keeper - if he flaps, it's his problem.
    • 55' GOAL CITY! Balotelli can't even be bothered to celebrate as he gets revenge for that arm in the face from Alvaro - aha, it goes in off Alvaro, via a nudge from Mario.
    • 55' Alvaro is booked for an arm across into the face of Balotelli.
    • 54' Hulk turns to release Rodriguez but Richards gets across and the Colombian lost control of the ball anyway.
    • 53' Maicon into the back of Balotelli and City have it back once more.
    • 52' An early ball releases Hulk but Kompany is equal to it. Now Lucho tries to play Varela in but Clicky intercepts. Aguero is getting ready...
    • 51' Silva almost plays Balotelli in but his touch lets him down.
    • 50' This is much better than the first half for City as they really pile the pressure on. Porto stuck in their half.
    • 49' RICHARDS HITS THE POST! Rampaging run forward from right-back as Silva plays him in with a delicate pass, Richard's flying in like a pterydactyl to ram his first-time shot against wood.
    • 48' Hulk lifts up the ball for the ref, as if that somehow provides conclusive evidence that he did not take the man. Mangala then does well to hold off a bombarding Richards getting forward from right-back.
    • 47' Barry releases Balotelli, who races in with great pace but shoves Alvaro en route and concedes a free-kick.
    • 46' City start on the front foot but Toure can't keep it in on the right.
    • 46' The second half is underway and there appear to be no additional changes for either side.
    • - By the way, Valencia are leading 1-0 at Stoke as Los Che manage to deal with the Potters aerial threat and raucous support.
    • - What say on that half? City have a clear strategy but IMO it's dangerous to just look for the break at Porto. They should have a go and grab an away goal. Tell me on Twitter @Reda_Eurosport. FOLLOW ON TWITTER!
    • 45+2 Half-time and Porto deservedly lead 1-0; Like United at Ajax, City need to do a lot more in the second half - but unlike United they have not kept a clean sheet.
    • 45+2 It opens up for Lucho on the edge of the box but his shot is closed down and blocked. Then Fernando slides in on Toure to the crowd's delight.
    • 45+1 City give it away, Moutinho releases Rodriguez but Lescott holds him up - nice ball for Hulk but his shot is high and wide.
    • 45' Two minutes added time being played. Fernando fouls De Jong.
    • 44' Alvaro handles Silva's cross, corner or free-kick? Ref checks with lino, free-kick edge of box on the right. Silva over it... Whipped into the near post but batted clear by Helton. Next up Balotelli is offside. Again.
    • 43' Clichy crosses from Balotelli who flicks it on, beyond Helton and defenders but bouncing wide of the far post!
    • 42' Barry gets released by Clichy wide left and thinks he's won a corner, but Maicon's block ricocheted off the England midfielder for a goal kick.
    • 41' Lofted in by Barry and Balotelli rises highest but can only flick his header wide. Had his back to goal, speculative effort more than anything.
    • 40' Maicon catches Silva a bit late and is lucky not to be carded. Silva takes his time to put his boot back on.
    • 39' Barry wide to Balotelli, inside to Nasri but he loses out to Varela back defending. City end up going all the way back to Hart.
    • 38' A hairy moment for City as Lescott blocks a wonderful Lucho volley, with Clichy completing the clearance.
    • 37' Corner to Porto after Rodriguez's shot is blocked by Kompany. Hulk wanted the pass and lets his mate know.
    • - @HusseyG: "New club but same old failings for Gael Clichy. The lad can't defend. Simple as." HAVE YOUR SAY ON TWITTER!
    • 36' After that tizzy, play restarts. City win a throw on the left, Clichy can cross but straight at Helton.
    • 35' Just before that Alvaro Pereira tripped Balotelli late - but he just carried on.
    • 34' Well Nasri vaguely left his boot in but that's because he trapped the ball with it - Moutinho went in late so he cannot complain. Porto making a meal of everything at the moment.
    • 33' Moutinho is down hurt after a normal looking tackle on halfway. He is adjudged to have fouled Nasri but Porto are furious for some reason...
    • 32' Silva on the left to find Clichy getting forward but Maicon jnr slides in. Throw.
    • 31' City trying to cool it down now as they look to at least get some possession.
    • 30' Hulk pops up on the right this time but flicked away by Lescott with Lucho waiting. Now a foul by Moutinho and some respite for City.
    • 29' Balotelli is somehow onside as the Porto defence are caught napping, he swivels and half-volleys but well saved by Helton! He could have taken it on, great ball from Nasri!
    • 28' Wild celebrations from fans and players alike, Hart no chance with the rasping low finish bottom left and he is angry with his defence for letting Varela go.
    • 27' GOAL PORTO! Super low ball in from Hulk wide left, around Lescott but curling back in, and turned in by Varela, who got there before Kompany! Clichy caught napping at left-back to lose Varela.
    • 26' Hulk now takes a tumble in the box as he tries to get around Kompany, the arm did come out but he went down easily.
    • 25' That corner resulted in nothing, but the next phase of play sees Toure enter the book for a trip on Rodriguez, who makes a meal of it.
    • 24' Good run forward from Varela to win a corner on the Porto left. Rodriguez to take.
    • 23' PORTO SUB: Mangala on for the stricken Danilo.
    • 22' The far-post corner is claimed by Helton. Quick release to Hulk, Porto still down to 10 at the moment but De Jong can clear. Silva now plays Nasri in, loads of space and a vicious drive but a super low save by Helton! Maicon all over the shop (not THAT Maicon).
    • 21' Balotelli almost diverts the free-kick in but the keeper bats it away! He drops it but hooked clear, only to Richards though whose low shot is tipped wide!!
    • 20' Danilo is in a lot of pain - while sliding in to foul Toure he overstretched and seems to have done his hamstring. The ref shows the card as he is stretchered off. He cost £17m this transfer window. Oops!
    • 19' Toure is taken out by Danilo, who is hurt and gets booked for his troubles. That'll learn you to take on a fella as big as Yaya!
    • 18' Oooh Porto almost in there but Hulk's first touch is heavy, possibly on account of Rodriguez's pass being a touch overhit.
    • 17' Long-range effort from Moutinho which is well wide, Hart watching it all the way.
    • 16' STAT: Thanks to ITV for this - Porto have not lost a league match at home for over three years. Yikes! AvB!!
    • 15' JUST OVER BY ROLANDO! Deflected too as a short corner causes real problems, Clichy getting the vital touch from the big man's downward header.
    • 14' It says it all that Silva is in his own box sweeping up to clear. All Porto at the moment.
    • 13' Porto with a lot of the ball now but Varela miscontrols. Offside anyway.
    • 12' Nice play by Porto breaks down as Barry spoils the combination between Hulk and Moutinho.
    • 11' Varela gets one-on-one with Clichy but he overhits his cross beyond Hulk. Still with Porto though...
    • 10' Barry to Toure, now Balotelli on the right but again he is offside.
    • 9' Moutinho with a clever ball through to Varela but Kompany intervenes and the visitors clear.
    • 8' The throw is taken short, Silva lofts it wide to Balotelli but he has strayed offside.
    • 7' Silva releases Toure on the right but good defending from Fernando to track and block the cross.
    • 6' Hulk tries some lollipops before falling over and claiming contact from Richards, who was just watching him. Ref turns his back.
    • 5' Moutinho gets away from Silva and finds Rodriguez but put out for a throw on the Porto left wing.
    • 4' Kompany trips Hulk, just a word from the ref though.
    • 3' Balotelli with a decent turn in midfield and he draws a foul. Just a short free-kick though.
    • 2' City get a move on but Balotelli can't combine with Toure and Porto clear.
    • 1' The first half is underway, City in red and black as is the custom.
    • 20:03 The players are out and ready. Hulk looking beefy, good to see Super Mario back.
    • 20.05 Here come the teams. No Champions League anthem for City or Porto today though. We are just minutes away from kick-off now.
    • 20:01 Hi, having just 'done' Ajax 0-2 Man Utd, I will not 'do' City's match at Porto. Ignore nice-guy Tom - you don't need to show me any love on Twitter, I'm game for some hate, so long as it doesn't land you a CPS charge. FOLLOW ON TWITTER!
    • 20.00 Porto are unbeaten in seven home games in Europe while City have won only one of seven on their travels. This is the first time these sides have been drawn to face each other.
    • 19.55 Manchester United have just beaten Ajax 2-0 in Amsterdam - can City emulate their local rivals in their own foray into the Europa League? Porto is a tough place to go but City's squad is full of quality. All Europa League scores
    • 19.50 The man taking you through tonight's events is Reda Maher. Show him some love and follow Reda on Twitter here.
    • 19.45 City lead the Premier League but their opponents tonight are only in second in Portugal having won the quadruple under Andre Villas-Boas last season. Some players to watch are Brazilian right-back Danilo, midfield maestro Joao Moutinho and, of course, Hulk in attack.
    • 19.40 Carlos Tevez has returned to England but is not ready to take his place on the bench today. He came back with his tail between his legs after claiming Roberto Mancini treated him like "a dog", something the manager says he will not allow to become a distraction. Mancini: I disagree with Carlos
    • 19.35 Yaya Toure returns to the Manchester City line-up for the first time since the African Cup of Nations, while Mario Balotelli also returns to the starting XI along with Micah Richards, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri. Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov, James Milner, Sergio Aguero and Adam Johnson miss out.
    • 19.30 TEAMS: FC Porto: Helton, Danilo, Rolando, Maicon, Pereira, Gonzalez, Fernando, Joao Moutinho, Varela, Hulk, James Rodriguez. Subs: Bracali, Cristian Rodriguez, Kleber, Djalma, Mangala, Alex Sandro, Defour. /// Man City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Barry, De Jong, Nasri, Toure Yaya, Silva, Balotelli. Subs: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Pizarro, Dzeko, Kolarov, Savic, Aguero.
    • 19.25 Porto are reigning champions in this competition but City will be hopeful of dethroning them having also dropped out of the Champions League.
    • 19.20 Thanks for following our live text commentary on the first leg of the Europa League last-32 tie between Porto and Manchester City at the Estadio do Dragao.

  • Summary

    • 84' CITY SCORE! Wonderful goal and it's Aguero rolling it into an empty net after super one-touch passing by Nasri and Toure.
    • 61' Hulk takes again AND A SUPERB LOW EFFORT AROUND THE WALL PUNCHES AWAY BY HART! The swerve didn't help but well fielded in the end. Corner.
    • 55' GOAL CITY! Balotelli can't even be bothered to celebrate as he gets revenge for that arm in the face from Alvaro - aha, it goes in off Alvaro, via a nudge from Mario.
    • 49' RICHARDS HITS THE POST! Rampaging run forward from right-back as Silva plays him in with a delicate pass, Richard's flying in like a pterydactyl to ram his first-time shot against wood.
    • 43' Clichy crosses from Balotelli who flicks it on, beyond Helton and defenders but bouncing wide of the far post!
    • 29' Balotelli is somehow onside as the Porto defence are caught napping, he swivels and half-volleys but well saved by Helton! He could have taken it on, great ball from Nasri!
    • 27' GOAL PORTO! Super low ball in from Hulk wide left, around Lescott but curling back in, and turned in by Varela, who got there before Kompany! Clichy caught napping at left-back to lose Varela.
    • 22' The far-post corner is claimed by Helton. Quick release to Hulk, Porto still down to 10 at the moment but De Jong can clear. Silva now plays Nasri in, loads of space and a vicious drive but a super low save by Helton! Maicon all over the shop (not THAT Maicon).
    • 21' Balotelli almost diverts the free-kick in but the keeper bats it away! He drops it but hooked clear, only to Richards though whose low shot is tipped wide!!
    • 15' JUST OVER BY ROLANDO! Deflected too as a short corner causes real problems, Clichy getting the vital touch from the big man's downward header.
    • 19.30 TEAMS: FC Porto: Helton, Danilo, Rolando, Maicon, Pereira, Gonzalez, Fernando, Joao Moutinho, Varela, Hulk, James Rodriguez. Subs: Bracali, Cristian Rodriguez, Kleber, Djalma, Mangala, Alex Sandro, Defour. /// Man City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Barry, De Jong, Nasri, Toure Yaya, Silva, Balotelli. Subs: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Pizarro, Dzeko, Kolarov, Savic, Aguero.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

    Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account.

    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.9 6
      Defenders
      Yellow Card Substitution Out22′ 6.1 6
      6 6
      5.8 6
      Own Goal Yellow Card 5.2 6
      Midfielders
      6 7
      6.2 7
      6.1 7
      Strikers
      Goal Substitution Out77′ 6.1 7
      6.1 6
      7.8 6
      Subs
      Substitution In22′ Substitution Out89′ 5.2 7
      Substitution In77′ 4.7 6
      Substitution In89′ 6.1 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.5 6
      Defenders
      Yellow Card 5.9 7
      Yellow Card 6.7 6
      5.6 7
      5.4 6
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 5.9 7
      Yellow Card 6 6
      Yellow Card Substitution Out88′ 6.6 7
      Yellow Card 6.4 6
      Substitution Out83′ 7.4 6
      Strikers
      Substitution Out78′ 5.7 7
      Subs
      Substitution In78′ Goal 7.3 7
      Substitution In83′ 6.9 6
      Substitution In88′ 7.2 6

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account