Petrov: City's opening goal

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Manchester City dominated for long periods against Celtic at Parkhead, but were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan will undoubtedly field a much stronger starting XI for their SPL opener against St Mirren this weekend, but City deserve credit for a strong first half display.

City did their best to entertain the sparse crowd but Valeri Bojinov's header from a Martin Petrov corner after 22 minutes, which flew over the bar, was almost the first effort on goal.

Moments later, Petrov, who was finding acres of space on the left-hand side, cut inside and drilled a right-footed shot past Artur Boruc's left-hand post.

City opener

Minutes after the restart Boruc had to rush from his goal to prevent Darius Vassell knocking the ball past him from close range but the Poland international had little chance in the 54th minute when Petrov ran on to a carefully-weighted pass from substitute Daniel Sturridge and drove home from 16 yards out.

Two minutes later, Boruc blocked another effort from the lively Vassell, the Celtic keeper recovering to collect the ball before it rolled over the line.

In the 66th minute debutant Patrick McCourt, on for Derek Riordan, flashed a volley wide of the target from 10 yards out after he had latched on to a deep Caddis cross.

City, however, remained in control of the game, moving with more ease than the home side who, due to changes made, had a youthful look about them.

However, with 10 minutes left, the increasingly enthusiastic Celtic side equalised through McGowan who bundled the ball in from close range following a Caddis free-kick from wide on the right.