Match Report and Player Ratings: Sporting CP 4-1 Manchester City (UEFA Champions League) | OneFootball

Manchester City suffered their third consecutive loss this season with a deflating defeat away at Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese capital.

Three goals from Sporting Lisbon and a missed penalty from Erling Haaland provided quite the eventful second-half, with Kevin De Bruyne returning for 10 minutes at the end, as Pep Guardiola’s slumped to another dismal defeat.

The Cityzens looked keen to recover from their loss against Bournemouth at the weekend as Phil Foden scored the opener within the first five minutes, however a series of defensive errors allowed Rúben Amorim a famous departing victory ahead of moving to Old Trafford.

Foden nicked the ball after a loose touch from the Sporting midfielder and found the back of the net to give City the lead, and the game was shaping up to be a real spectacle for the neutral, as Victor Gyokeres found himself through on goal minutes later.

Erling Haaland had his first real chance of the game cutting in from the right but his effort was straight at the Sporting goalkeeper. Shortly after, his half-volley attempt was sliced wide – not what you’d normally expect from the Norwegian.

The first-half gods were not on Haaland’s side with the striker having four shots in the first half hour – one of his headers cleared off the line and numerous saves from Israel in goal.

Guardiola’s side were dominating the game but the home team were always a threat on the counter and proved it with their equaliser in the 38th minute. A defence splitting pass saw Victor Gyokeres through on goal for the second time and this time the Swede managed to chip the ball over Ederson.

Manchester City will have been frustrated heading into half time level after multiple chances to extend their lead before the equaliser, especially as a nightmare start in the second-half saw the Sky Blues conceded two goals in three minutes.

The first coming after another pass through the defence and a finish nut megging Ederson, the second a penalty converted by Gyokeres after Gvardiol brought down Trincao after losing the ball.

Midway through the second-half, Manchester City were awarded a penalty of their own after Bernardo Silva’s effort struck the arm of the Sporting defender. Haaland failed to convert the penalty.

Things went from bad to worse for the Blues as Sporting were awarded another late penalty in the second-half. Matheus Nunes had pulled back his man after losing the ball.

Unlike Haaland, Gyokeres tucked away his penalty to complete his hat-trick. The hosts had taken a sizeable lead against the Premier League champions.

Despite the three goal deficit, City were still pushing forward with Kevin De Bruyne leading the charge, but were unable to find a second before the full time whistle.

The Cityzens will now look to rectify this poor form on Saturday, as they travel to the Amex to face Brighton in the Premier League.

Player Ratings:

Ederson – 5

Should have done better for their second goal. Not expected to save the penalty or Gyokeres chance.

Rico Lewis – 6

Found all the half spaces and always looking forwards when on the ball.

Manuel Akanji – 5

Poor communication with Simpson-Pusey for the first Sporting goal but struggled to deal with their forward passes.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey – 5

Similar with Akanji. Looked a little shakey on the ball. Needs more minutes to build his confidence.

Josko Gvardiol – 4

Caught out of position for the first Sporting goal. Gave away the penalty for their third.

Mateo Kovacic – 6

Covered every blade of grass and was key in progressing the ball forwards.

Bernardo Silva (C) – 6.5

Had a chance late in the first-half but couldn’t hit the target. Effective when rotating play in the final third.

Matheus Nunes – 5

Was having a good game until he gave away a penalty late in the second-half.

Phil Foden – 7

Always alert and quick which led to his goal. A really strong performance from him despite being on the losing side.

Savinho – 6

Absolute dynamite on the ball and always a threat taking on his man. Started to look for goal more than he should have in the second half, and once again showed signs of immaturity with indiscipline.

Erling Haaland – 5

Had many chances in the first half and was unlucky to score. Missed a crucial penalty in the second half.

Substitutes:

Jeremy Doku – 5

Tried to offer some pace from the left but didn’t create any real chances.

Ilkay Gundogan – 5

Had no real impact on the game when he came on.

Kevin De Bruyne – 6

Took control of the game for the 10 minutes he played. Good to see him back on the pitch.