Mancini’s relief at City late show

Manchester City are finally up and running in the Champions League after snatching a last–gasp 2–1 win over Villarreal last night.

Substitute Sergio Aguero struck in the third minute of injury time to secure the club's first victory in the competition and turn a frustrating night at the Etihad Stadium into a jubilant one.

After collecting just one point from their opening two games, City had needed to win to keep realistic hopes of progressing from Group ‘A’ alive.

But after conceding to Cani after just four minutes, Roberto Mancini's men produced a sluggish performance far removed from their free–scoring Barclays Premier League form.

They enjoyed good possession in the first half but it needed a Carlos Marchena own goal to haul them back into contention and the spark was still missing until Aguero's dramatic late intervention.

Mancini punched the air repeatedly in relief when Aguero struck knowing the goal had possibly kept hopes alive.

The Italian said: "I hope this goal will be very important — it was very important to win the first game in the Champions League.

"I think everything can happen in this group, for first place."

After Napoli and Bayern Munich drew 1–1 in Italy, City have gained ground and are three points behind the German side, the group leaders, halfway through the stage.

There was one side issue, however, as, three weeks after controversy over substitutions in the defeat in Munich, Mancini appeared to upset Adam Johnson by withdrawing him late in the first half.

The winger was replaced by Gareth Barry and shook his head as he left the field, but Mancini insisted there was no problem.