PSG outclass Man City at the Etihad despite Haaland double

Three days after cruising past Liverpool, Manchester City were brought back to earth. Two-time defending champions Paris Saint-Germain won 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, surviving a Haaland-inspired fightback in City's first home game since being found guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules.

A ruthless first half

PSG were devastating before the break. Désiré Doué opened the scoring with a superb strike from distance in the 13th minute, then turned provider less than two minutes later as Ousmane Dembélé headed in the second, according to ESPN. Vitinha added a third in the 32nd minute, finishing a slick move that included a clever backheel from Warren Zaïre-Emery, PSG's official report said.

Haaland leads the fightback

City responded after the break. Erling Haaland headed in eight minutes into the second half, and the home side pressed hard for a second. But PSG struck again on 62 minutes when Maghnes Akliouche's effort went in after a goalkeeping error, Sports Mole reported.

Haaland scored again in the 75th minute, and City kept pushing, hitting the woodwork twice in the second half, according to ESPN. PSG also missed a late penalty, which City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved, but the visitors held on.

Records and reaction

There was a personal milestone for Haaland, whose double made him City's record scorer in the Champions League, the club said. It was little consolation, however, as City suffered their first defeat in eight matches.

For PSG, it was a historic night. Their official report described it as the club's first victory at City's home stadium.

Manager Enzo Maresca said afterwards that he was impressed with his side's fighting spirit and that City would learn the lessons from the defeat, according to City's website.

The table

The result leaves City 17th in the 36-team league phase after two matches, with three points, while PSG top the table with a perfect six. City return to Premier League action this weekend, where they still lead the table with a perfect record.

Photo: Ank Kumar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0