Nasri goal gives Manchester City 1-0 win over Melbourne City

Manchester City earned a 1-0 win over Melbourne City on the Gold Coast today.

But there was nothing Velaphi could do about the winning goal four minutes from time, as Nasri expertly controlled a cross from the right before lashing an unstoppable volley into the top corner from 15 yards.

Melbourne City spurned two of of the match’s most clear cut chances as they defended well and countered with genuine threat, but Nasri’s exquisite finish ultimately proved the difference.

The £49 million signing Raheem Sterling was not involved and could make his City debut against Roma on Tuesday, while manager Manuel Pellegrini did not use other players who joined up later with the tour, including Joe Hart, David Silva, Eliaquim Mangala, Edin Dzeko, Bacary Sagna and Aleksandar Kolarov.

The outstanding Yaya Toure went closest to breaking the deadlock for the tourists 20 minutes in with a trademark, curling free-kick that crashed off the crossbar.

Sterling would watch on from the stands, but Melbourne City winger Harry Novillo would show the Manchester side this would be no stroll in the park, threatening with a risky cross and stinging the hands of Willy Caballero with a turn and shoot.

Toure, Nasri, Brandon Barker and Jesus Navas all showed skill and exchanged some terrific passes to delight the crowd.

Substitutions disrupted the flow of the second half and chances were at a premium until the 69th minute when Novillo dragged the ball past substitute James Horsfield and dinked the ball past Caballero only to see it trickle wide.