Manchester City 3 Sporting Lisbon 2 (agg 3-3): Mancini's men out despite comeback

The pulsating finish, which saw goalkeeper Joe Hart's last-gasp header tipped agonisingly wide, seemed highly unlikely at the break.

City were defensively poor, error prone and Balotelli was having one of his more volatile nights.

The striker even seemed to argue with manager Roberto Mancini after conceding the free-kick which led to Sporting's opener.

But after their rousing fightback City could take huge consolation from a performance which bodes well for the rest of their Barclays Premier League title challenge.

City had initially seemed in the mood as the game kicked off in a lively atmosphere, enhanced by a small band of excitable Sporting fans who let off some green flares.

After an early score when Stijn Schaars shot wide after a poor Stefan Savic clearance, City looked to attack.

Adam Johnson made two threatening runs and almost broke through as he looked to play a one-two with David Silva, but the Spaniard's return pass was well read by Anderson Polga.

Game on: Sergio Aguero hits his second of the night, leaving City to chase an elusive fourth

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