Joe Hart saves City’s blushes with penalty save

Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini is hoping for more goals from striker Sergio Aguero after the Argentine’s 90th-minute penalty sealed their 2-1 comeback win at Borussia Moechengladbach.

Hart had a string of additional stops to make before the first half was over, thwarting Raffael in a one-on-one situation in the 34th minute, before denying Patrick Herrmann from a tight angle to keep City level pegging at the interval. “It may have come late but, Sergio Aguero is a cool guy and he will score”.

It took one of those previously troubled defenders, Nicolas Otamendi, to force a 65th-minute equaliser, thumping home on the volley after Korb scissor-kicked Martin Demichelis’ shot out from behind the line.

The England global pulled off an excellent save after Borussia Monchengladbach were awarded a penalty for a questionable challenge from Nicolas Otamendi on Raffael.

Hart produced superb point-blank saves from Raffael and Hermann and City breathed another sigh of relief when referee Clement Turpin gave nothing after Stindl went down in the area.

Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp victor could prove a turning point for City in the Champions League, if they can build on the result in their next match against Sevilla. We should have scored another either with the penalty or the chances we had. The normally prolific Argentine squandered a great opportunity in the fifth minute when he failed to beat Sommer from close range after a flawless cross from Raheem Sterling. A fearsome foursome is all very well but if the other six outfield players are struggling, then any team will have problems.

Last line of defence and attacking inspiration: these were the moments in which Hart revealed himself as the keeper of the flame in Kompany’s absence.

City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov allowed Julian Korb ample room on the right to pick out Stindl, who swept home a low finish. It was the side’s first defeat under interim coach Andre Schubert, who had two wins after taking over from Lucien Favre.

A soft City midfield was frequently exposed with neither Demichelis nor Otamendi, both lacking speed, comfortable on the back foot thanks to several fast Gladbach breaks.

Lars Stindl was then booked for diving although it should really have been another penalty for the home team as Fernandinho brought him down.

City obviously want to catch the eye in Europe but there must be better ways of doing it than wearing their “glow-in-the-dark” green away kit (as a few fans have called it) when it is not necessary.