Manchester City 3, Feyenoord 3
Manchester City were dramatically held by Feyenoord who scored three times in the last 15 minutes at the Etihad Stadium to leave them winless for six games.
Erling Haaland had earlier scored a brace with Ilkay Gundogan answering his critics with a volley as City took a 3-0 lead after 53 minutes of their Champions League game at the Etihad Stadium.
But the wheels came off as City have now conceded a total of 17 goals in their last six games – five defeats and now a draw – as their Dutch visitors mounted a late comeback to draw 3-3 with goals by Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez, and David Hancko in the last 15 minutes of a dramatic Champions league game.
And with that comeback City gained a new unwanted record as the first club to be leading by three goals as late as the 75th minute of a UEFA Champions League match before failing to win it.
City had looked more compact and mobile in midfield with the more energetic legs of Phil Foden and Matheus Nunes ahead of Ilkay Gundogan.
The extra movement helped City carve out several chances against the visitors.
Erling Haaland had a couple of early chances stopped by Timon Wellenreuther while Jack Grealish saw a great chance inadvertently blocked by Phil Foden.
Foden then had a classic turn and shot saved by Wellenreuther as City effectively covered up any fitness concerns from their defenders who initially looked tentative.
Igor Piaxao broke free of the City defence and was denied by Ederson while Inbeom Hwang had a curling shot blocked as a reminder that not all was rosy at the back for City though.
But the City pressure eventually paid dividends as Haaland was fouled in the area by Quinton Timber and won a penalty after 41 minutes.
Feyenoord tried to time waste to put the big Norwegian off but could not stop him from smashing his 45th Champions League goal home to lift the mood at the Etihad.
City were soon 2-0 up after the break when Ilkay Gundogan arrived late in the box to volley home a poorly cleared corner in the 50th minute.
City extended that lead again three minutes later when Haaland slid in to convert a square pass by Matheus Nunes who had been released by Gundogan to score his 17th goal of the season.
City made a trio of changes after 68 minutes, bringing on Kevin De Bruyne, James McAtee, and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey for Gundogan, Phil Foden, and Nathan Ake.
But the defensive question marks remain after a poor judged backpass by Josko Gvardiol was seized by Anis Hadj Moussa who rounded Ederson and scored in front of the visiting fans from an acute angle.
It was tight angles all round for City as Gvardiol failed to clear a cross field ball into the box from the other side and Santiago Gimenez squeezed his shot past Ederson and inside the near post from close range with 8 minutes to go to ensure a grandstand finish.
Kevin De Bruyne forced a save from Wellenreuther but in the 89th minute Feyenoord completed their comeback as David Hancko headed home the equaliser after City’s offside trap failed and, with Ederson miles out of his goal, Igor Paixao’s cross was converted by the Feyenoord defender with Rico Lewis unable to match him in the air.
The dream was not over as Grealish hit the crossbar with a dipping effort in added time but City could not find a late winner as Feyenoord deservedly celebrated a famous result against the ailing Blues who have not won in six games now with a daunting trip to Anfield to come on Sunday.
Embed from Getty ImagesPLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 3, Feyenoord 3
Ederson: 4. Saved from Igor Paixao midway through the first half, exposed by poor Josko Gvardiol back pass – beaten despite acute angle. And then beaten at his near post by Santiago Gimenez before coming out of his area only to be beaten to the ball by Paixao who laid on the equaliser to David Hancko.
Rico Lewis: 6. Nominally at right back but stiffened up midfield alongside Ilkay Gundogan. Given ample protection around him. Given a tougher defensive task in the second half and beaten at the back post for the Feyenoord equaliser.
Manuel Akanji: 6. Slipped up early on but kept his cool. Had some in game coaching from Pep Guardiola as he tried to make tweaks in the first half.
Nathan Ake: 6. Solid defending but taken off early again as he wasn’t fully fit.
Josko Gvardiol: 5. Covered for early defensive slips and a quality pass to Erling Haaland in the second half. Had a great strike palmed away by Timon Wellenreuther but blotted his copybook with a pair of late mistakes to gift late goals to Feyenoord.
Bernardo Silva: 6. Stayed wide on the right to give a little more protection to Rico Lewis when he came inside on his flank.
Ilkay Gundogan: 8. Deep midfield role still able to get around with team mates close by, almost got an early goal. Was well protected by youthful quick players around him and that allowed him the time to make a trademark late dash into the area to score. Got a deserve rest after that.
Matheus Nunes: 8. Willing runner, given an advanced midfield role where he could use his pace to good effect breaking forward and winning the ball high and also dropping deep to help out Rico Lewis. Hit the side netting in the second half and laid on Erling Haaland’s second goal.
Phil Foden: 7. Used as one of the attacking midfielders alongside Matheus Nunes for more mobility. Accidentally blocked a goal bound Grealish shot but also had a couple of shots of his own saved. Seemed to be getting some swagger back after a great move with Erling Haaland broke down as neither could get a clear shot off. Faded in second half.
Jack Grealish: 6. Great chance hit Phil Foden on the way in. Somewhat peripheral at times as City favoured their right side. Deflected shot looped onto the crossbar in injury time as City search for an injury time winner.
Erling Haaland: 9. Early header clawed away by Timon Wellenreuther and another tame saved saved. Brought down by Quinten Timber to win a penalty which he despatched himself. Slid in for a second goal of the game after Feyenoord were split apart by an Ilkay Gundogan through ball which Matheus Nunes squared for the striker to slide in for his second.
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (on for Nathan Ake, 68): 6. Marooned by Josko Gvardiol’s poor backpass.
Kevin De Bruyne (on for Ilkay Gundogan, 68): 6. Slightly longer run out ahead of Anfield game on Sunday. Had a shot saved and looked in good shape.
James McAtee (on for Phil Foden, 68): 6. Troubled Feyenoord defence with a direct run but needless booking.
GOALS – Manchester City 3, Feyenoord 3
Man City 1, Feyenoord 0: 44. Erling Haaland smashed a ferocious spot kick inside the right hand post from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Quinten Timber.
Man City 2, Feyenoord 0: 50. Ilkay Gündogan hit a 16 yard volley past a wrong footed Timon Wellenreuther as it deflected off David Hancko on its way in from a half cleared corner.
Man City 3, Feyenoord 0: 53. Erling Haaland slid in for his second goal of the game after Feyenoord were split apart by an Ilkay Gundogan through ball which Matheus Nunes squared from the right for the striker to convert from 7 yards
Man City 3, Feyenoord 1: 75. A poor backpass by Josko Gvardiol allowed Anis Hadj Moussa to round Ederson and spoil the party atmosphere with a goal in front of the visiting fans.
Man City 3, Feyenoord 2: 82. Another goal from an impossible angle as Josko Gvardiol failed to deal with a cross field ball into the six yard box and Santiago Jimenez beat Ederson at his near post to ensure a grandstand finish after a brief VAR check.
Man City 3, Feyenoord 3: 89. City’s offside trap failed and, with Ederson miles out of his goal, Igor Paixao beat him to the ball and his cross was converted by the David Hancko with a header at the back post – beating Rico Lewis easily.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 3, Feyenoord 3
Man City: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Ake (Simpson-Pusey 68), Gvardiol, Silva (C), Gundogan (De Bruyne, 68), Nunes, Foden (McAtee 68), Grealish, Haaland
Man City Subs not used: Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Savinho, Wright, O’Reilly, Wilson-Esbrand
Booking: McAtee 87 (foul on Anis Hadj Moussa)
Goals: Haaland pen 44, 53; Gundogan 50
Feyenoord: Wellenreuther, Niewkoop (Lotomba 72), Trauner, Hancko, Smal (Beelen 68), IB Hwang (Gonzalez 90+3), Milambo (Zerrouki 68), Q Timber (C), Hadj Moussa, Paixao, Carranza (Gimenez 72)
Feyenoord Subs not used: Bijlow, Ka, Ivanusec, Mitchell, Zechiel, Redmond
Bookings: Carranza 57 (foul on Rico Lewis)
Goals: Hadj Moussa 75; Gimenez 82; Hancko 89
Referee: Radu Petrescu (Romania)