City denied in Denmark

19 February 2009 18:36
Manchester City conceded a late goal as they drew 2-2 with FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their Uefa Cup tie.[LNB] Jesper Christiansen's howler gifted City their opening goal after 29 minutes as the Copenhagen goalkeeper allowed Nedum Onuoha's weak shot to slip through his fingers and over the line.[LNB]City continued to press forward but Copenhagen equalised against the run of play on 56 minutes when Ailton capitalised on poor defending to head in William Kvist's corner.[LNB]Stephen Ireland restored City's advantage five minutes later with a fine finish from Shaun Wright-Phillips' cross.[LNB]However, Martin Vingaard nodded home Dame N'Doye's cross in stoppage time to leave City with work to do in the return leg at Eastlands later this month.[LNB]PressureMark Hughes' side started brightly and carved out a good chance in the 11th minute when Ireland split the defence with a superb ball.[LNB]Wayne Bridge latched on to it and delivered the cross but Craig Bellamy had strayed offside and the move broke down.[LNB]The Danes responded and Micah Richards did well under pressure to clear a corner from Oscar Wendt at the back post four minutes later.[LNB]Then Wright-Phillips made space down the right but his curling cross was easily cut out.[LNB]The winger again got clear in the 20th minute and tried to pick out Robinho only for the ball to go behind the Brazilian.[LNB]Robinho repaid the favour two minutes later by setting up Wright-Phillips but he saw his shot blocked by Christiansen.[LNB]Copenhagen were looking dangerous from set-pieces and Mikael Antonsson got clear of his marker in the 27th minute but headed over the bar following a corner from Wendt.[LNB]City took the lead two minutes later, though, and chalked up a vital away goal thanks to a dreadful error from Christiansen, who allowed a weak shot from Onuoha to squirm under his body to the delight of the travelling fans.[LNB]The visitors began the second half brightly and Wright-Phillips skipped away in the 47th minute only to send his shot into the goalkeeper's body.[LNB]Play switched down to the other end and Zdenek Pospech carved out an opening for himself but dragged his effort wide of the post.[LNB]It was a brief respite for the home side, with Ireland cracking in a shot in the 52nd minute that was deflected to safety.[LNB]Vincent Kompany then sent Bellamy scampering clear down the left but his delivery was blocked.[LNB]Goal out of nothingCopenhagen hauled themselves back into the game in the 56th minute by scoring the equaliser.[LNB]Almeida was the first to react when Thomas Kristensen delivered the corner and sent a header beyond goalkeeper Shay Given.[LNB]However, City regained the lead in the 61st minute with another goal out of nothing. A cross from Wright-Phillips went through the legs of Atiba Hutchinson and direct to Ireland.[LNB]Such is the midfielder's confidence he was not going to waste the chance and he rattled a shot into the corner of the net past a stranded Christiansen.[LNB]Substitute Jesper Gronkjaer almost pulled Copenhagen level for a second time in the 81st minute but Richard Dunne came to the rescue and cleared off the line.[LNB]City then launched a swift counter-attack and Robinho should have extended their lead but showed a distinct lack of confidence to deliver a shot into the goalkeeper's body from a good position.[LNB]Copenhagen equalised again when substitutes Vingaard and Dame N'Doye - both on their debuts - linked up in stoppage time for the former to head home.[LNB][LNB][LNB]FC København[LNB]Team Statistics[LNB]Manchester City[LNB][LNB][LNB]2[LNB]Goals[LNB]2[LNB][LNB][LNB]0[LNB]1st Half Goals[LNB]1[LNB][LNB][LNB]4[LNB]Shots on Target[LNB]7[LNB][LNB][LNB]12[LNB]Shots off Target[LNB]5[LNB][LNB][LNB]7[LNB]Blocked Shots[LNB]3[LNB][LNB][LNB]12[LNB]Corners[LNB]2[LNB][LNB][LNB]8[LNB]Fouls[LNB]13[LNB][LNB][LNB]1[LNB]Offsides[LNB]10[LNB][LNB][LNB]0[LNB]Yellow Cards[LNB]2[LNB][LNB][LNB]0[LNB]Red Cards[LNB]0[LNB][LNB][LNB]78.60%[LNB]Passing Success[LNB]72.20%[LNB][LNB][LNB]24[LNB]Tackles[LNB]24[LNB][LNB][LNB]70.80%[LNB]Tackles Success[LNB]83.30%[LNB][LNB][LNB]58.30%[LNB]Possession[LNB]41.70%[LNB][LNB][LNB]55.50%[LNB]Territorial Advantage[LNB]44.50%[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports