Pellegrini grateful to Aguero and Hart

Manuel Pellegrini picked out Sergio Aguero and Joe Hart for praise after Manchester City came from behind to kickstart their Champions League campaign with a last–gasp 2–1 win at Borussia Monchengladbach.

Aguero put aside a night of personal frustration to score a 90th–minute penalty winner after Hart had made a string of impressive saves.

Hart saved a penalty from Raffael as well as a number of other shots from the dangerous Brazilian and his team–mates in open play. But he couldn’t prevent Lars Stindl opening the scoring as the hosts finally found a way through after 54 minutes.

But Nicolas Otamendi fired home an equaliser – even though replays suggested Martin Demichelis’ initial shot had crossed the line seconds earlier – and City were rewarded for a strong finish as Aguero had the final word.

The Argentinian had spurned several opportunities throughout the game but banished his disappointment to step up and slot a cool winner after being fouled in the area.

The result gave City their first points in Group D after losing their opener to Juventus a fortnight ago.

Yet it was a game of many chances at both ends and the scoreline could easily have finished the other way round.