Celtic vs Manchester City. UEFA Champions League Group C.
Celtic ParkAttendance57,592.
Thursday 29 September 2016 08:45, UK
Man City pegged Celtic back three times to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw in Champions League Group C at Celtic Park on Wednesday night.
Fernandinho cancelled out Moussa Dembele's early strike, before Raheem Sterling made up for his own goal when he smartly finished past Craig Gordon.
Dembele grabbed his second shortly after half-time to put Celtic in front for a third time, but Nolito swiftly levelled for the Premier League leaders.
Pep Guardiola's side had several chances to snatch a dramatic winner at the death too, but Celtic held on to earn their first point of the Champions League campaign, in the process ending the new City manager's 10-match winning start.
The Scottish Premiership champions, who were punished 7-0 against Barcelona in their opening group game, took just three minutes to unlock City with a well-worked set-piece.
Tom Rogic clipped to the back post, and when James Forrest squared for Erik Sviatchenko, his header came off Dembele to give the hosts the perfect start, although City felt the young striker was in an offside position.
They did not have to wait long to equalise as nine minutes later Fernandinho fortuitously controlled Aleksandar Kolarov's mis-hit shot and scuffed a low effort into the net.
The set-back did little to check Celtic's momentum, and roared on by a raucous home support, they edged ahead again. Kieran Tierney surged into the visitors' box and his low centre deflected off the unfortunate Sterling, leaving Claudio Bravo with no chance.
The England international swiftly atoned for his error, though, capping a breathless first half when he coolly slotted past Gordon to draw his side level for the second time.
But Celtic, underdogs against a Man City side boasting a perfect record under Guardiola, had clearly not read the script as Dembele's 12th of the season two minutes after the break gave them fresh hope of a famous win.
A shocking mistake by Kolarov was brilliantly capitalised upon by the young forward, who acrobatically hooked past Bravo.
Once again Guardiola's side were not slow to respond and Nolito equalised eight minutes later, finishing a wonderful City move with a simple tap-in.
The game's frantic pace took its toll on Celtic in the closing stages and City looked the more likely to steal the three points.
Fernandinho went close with a blast from distance, while Gordon tipped an Ilkay Gundogan effort over the bar, leaving Guardiola with his head in his hands.
The final opportunity fell to substitute Fernando, but the Brazilian midfielder could not make contact with his header.
The result leaves City with four points from two games, with back-to-back fixtures against Barcelona up next, the first of which sees Guardiola return to the Nou Camp on October 19.
As for Celtic, they are on the board in Group C after a Matchday One humbling in Spain, and face Borussia Monchengladbach at Celtic Park on the same day.
